
Hosea Chapter 5 - Seeking The Lord
What does it mean to sincerely seek the Lord? How can we be sure that we are truly seeking for Him?
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4 min read
What does it mean to sincerely seek the Lord? How can we be sure that we are truly seeking for Him?
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4 min read
This chapter highlights the consequences of Israel’s disobedience and the depth of God’s sorrow over their actions. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness, knowledge of God, and the dangers of turning away from His commandments. As stated in Hosea 4:1, “There is no truth, no mercy, no knowledge of God in the land.” When people forsake the knowledge of God, truth and mercy vanish as well. True wisdom and understanding always begin with the fear of God and the knowledge of Him (Proverbs 9:10). The absence of these elements affects every aspect of life, leading to moral and spiritual corruption. However, turning back to God will bring healing and restoration. Truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God are interconnected and essential for our spiritual lives. Truth without mercy can become harsh and judgmental, while mercy without truth can lead to indulgence. The knowledge of God binds them together, guiding us to live in a way that glorifies Him. As we reflect on this chapter, let us examine our lives and align them with God’s standards of truth, mercy, and knowledge. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations (Psalms 100:5). May the Holy Spirit inspire us to grow in faithfulness, deepen our love for God, and increase our knowledge of Him, so we may understand The Truth of God and receive His mercy.
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2 min read
Sustain your relationship with God by reciprocating His love.
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2 min read
Hosea's love in a failing marriage points us to God's unfailing love.
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2 min read
The great and dreadful day of the Lord draws near.
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2 min read
Hold on to your faith and be counted worthy of heaven.
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2 min read
Do we realise that there are spiritual battles going on around us?
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3 min read
The everlasting King will help us win our spiritual battle against this sinful world.
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2 min read
Those who grew up in church would have heard or read the story of Daniel in the lions’ den countless times. Even those who are new to the faith would likely be no stranger to the simple story that is only one chapter long. For those of us who are well acquainted with the story, do we glance through the passages swiftly or even side-stepping this part of the Bible altogether, due to our familiarity. Or do we continue to savour and be captivated by this incident (and the teachings encapsulated therein), just like how we relish and enamoured with timeless classics and story that we never tire of, like beauty and the beast and Aladdin. Are we still inspired by the remarkable example that Daniel provided to us. That despite his busy life as a governor (one of three) who oversee the satraps who manages the mighty Persian empire, which stretches from Egypt to the West and borders of India to the East, he continues steadfastly to find time to pray three times a day. Bearing in mind that in those days, when unlike us today, they do not have inventions that automate and simplify many processes. Remember how Moses was severely bogged down when he took upon himself to hear and judge the cases of the Israelite nation, which forms only a small part of the Persian empire. Daniel knows his priority in life, that prayer is the immovable rock in his life that he dearly adheres to. All other matters play second fiddle, not matter how important or urgent. What is even more praiseworthy is that he did not back down despite hearing the royal command.  It was not just a mere threat that confronted Daniel, that the king might punish the offender but rather a certain death if found out. Daniel has been serving in the king’s courts are the years, and he is definitely in the best position to know how the laws of Persia and Medes work, that once a decree is established and signed, even the king does not have the power to change or to alter. Daniel’s faith and trust in God, as well as God’s care and protection, serves as a great confidence booster to the rest of us.   As we read this story, we may be wondering where Daniel’s three friends at this time are. Have they kept the faith? Do they shrink and fall back in their faith, having succumbed to the pressure of towing the line in keeping the decree, playing it safe but outwardly showing that they compile by hiding their prayer life behind closed doors. As no details are shared, let us not speculate and make unnecessary inferences. The main point of the story is Daniel’s submission to God rather than to men, even at the cost of his life. Let us also take note that at the time when Daniel’s three friends were thrown in the fiery furnace, Daniel was also not there at that time. Does his absence mean that Daniel compromised his faith and bowed down to the image? Obviously not. We can only assume that Daniel was not present at that time, for he could have been sent to another part of the empire, for we know that Daniel would have stood his ground at that time, just like how he did so here.  May we always be stirred up in our faith through constant reminders of this story. Â
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3 min read