Hosea: God's Faithfulness in Christ - Playing Games

So many couples enter marriage because the other person makes them happy or gives them what they want. In the early days of the relationship, they mold themselves into the person they need to be to win the person. Then, after time goes by, they stop being that person or doing the things that won that person's heart. It’s not long before they resent the very person, they said that they loved. Now both parties are disillusioned with the relationship and either a new foundation of selfless love will be built, or the marriage will end. When I married Debbie, I wanted to be someone’s knight in shining armor, and she my damsel in distress. Ultimately, I wasn’t leading her or my family, and I wasn’t loving her, I was using her to maintain my knighthood. Thankfully, God led me to repentance and our marriage flourishes today.

In our text this week, we learn that God’s people were playing games with Him. During the week, they were living according to their own desires, worshipping the Canaanite gods, engaging in sinful practices, building wealth, and making political alliances with Assyria. Then on Sunday they would bring God their sacrifices, attempting to gain His favor, molding themselves in the moment to what they thought He wanted. They were trying to use Him, but they weren’t really seeking after Him. They would soon discover that God cannot be used. He doesn’t relate to us in these transactional terms, but He gives grace to the humble. Join us this Sunday as we worship the One who won us God’s favor through His obedience and liberates us to walk humbly with Him.