First Comes Love - Day 29
Day 29 -Thursday, May 16
Read Hosea 4
Highlight
Chapter 4 is Hosea’s prophetic message from God to Israel. It is a full judgment speech of the way God’s people have broken their covenant. The three major ways He brings to light are their lack of faithfulness, lack of kindness, and lack of knowledge in God.
They have not been faithful to God, worshiping other gods and making idols. Yet, He has been faithful to them. There is a lack of truth-telling and truth-doing in all the land.. Kindness cannot be found among the people. It is “every man for himself” which is not the way God portrays His steadfast love. Then there is a deep lack of any knowledge of God. The Israelites do not have a personal relationship with God, they do not care to know Him. In the absence of not knowing Him, they have been led astray by the other nations around them. This message from God seems depressing and hopeless. Thankfully it is only a piece of a longer message.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Hosea 4
Highlight
Chapter 4 is Hosea’s prophetic message from God to Israel. It is a full judgment speech of the way God’s people have broken their covenant. The three major ways He brings to light are their lack of faithfulness, lack of kindness, and lack of knowledge in God.
They have not been faithful to God, worshiping other gods and making idols. Yet, He has been faithful to them. There is a lack of truth-telling and truth-doing in all the land.. Kindness cannot be found among the people. It is “every man for himself” which is not the way God portrays His steadfast love. Then there is a deep lack of any knowledge of God. The Israelites do not have a personal relationship with God, they do not care to know Him. In the absence of not knowing Him, they have been led astray by the other nations around them. This message from God seems depressing and hopeless. Thankfully it is only a piece of a longer message.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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