Our Father's Love

Read: Hosea 11
"I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love." —Hosea 11:4

A young Christian dad took his parenting role seriously. When his son was an infant, he protected him. As the boy grew, his dad played ball with him, encouraged him, and tried to teach him about God and life. But in his teen years, the boy went too far and too fast in his move toward independence.

Like the prodigal son in Luke 15, he rejected his father’s values. He made foolish decisions and got into trouble. The father was deeply disappointed, but he never gave up on him. “No matter what he’s done,” he said, “he’s still my son. I’ll never stop loving him. He’ll always be welcome in my house.” The joyful day finally came when father and son were reunited.

The people in Hosea’s day followed a similar pattern. Although God had rescued them from Egypt and nourished them, they turned their backs on Him. They insulted His name by worshiping the gods of the Canaanites. But still God loved them and longed for their return (Hosea 11:8).

Do you fear that you may have strayed too far from God to be restored? He who saved and cares for you longs for your return. His arms are open in forgiveness and acceptance. He will never drive you away.

How glad we can be for our Father’s love!

I've found a Friend, O such a Friend!

He loved me ere I knew Him;

He drew me with the cords of love,

And thus He bound me to Him. —Small

God's love has no limits.

by David C. Egner

Verse of the day

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10
New International Version 

THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
Hate -- what a bold and powerful word. We must not hate people. We must hate evil. It's a tough combination to pull off, but absolutely vital. Evil is here because of the Evil One -- the champion of hate, lies, and death. So when evil rears its ugly head, let's be courageous and oppose Satan and his work. In the process, let's pray for those trapped in its tentacles, even if they consider us enemies. 

MY PRAYER...
Almighty God, make my heart pained by the evil in my world. Give me a holy revulsion to things opposed to your will and character. Yet Father, just as You redeemed me by grace, and rescued me while a captive to sin, give me courage to care about those who are in the Evil One's embrace. Through my Savior I pray. Amen.

Tags: God's Love, Daily devotions, Jesus