The Overwhelming Love of God

And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God. (Hosea 2:23)

This verse challenged the conventional beliefs of its time. The idea of God’s love being so overwhelming and vast was unheard of. It was a radical message then, and it remains a powerful message today.

It’s sometimes difficult to read Scripture with the correct mindset because we tend to interpret stories in our modern context. You may have heard all your life that God loves you or that God is good, but that’s not what many people in Hosea’s time heard. Imagine the context in which this prophecy was delivered. The Jewish people believed that salvation was exclusively for them, that they were God's chosen and no one else could share in His divine favor. But God, in His infinite wisdom, had a different plan. He intended to extend His love, grace, and mercy to all people, including those who had been considered "not His people.”

This concept of expanding God's love beyond the confines of the Jewish nation was originally met with anger, resistance, and unbelief. Even in the book of Acts, we see the disciples struggling to grasp the concept.

After Jesus rose from the dead, but before He ascended into Heaven, He spent 6 weeks teaching the people and making sure they got what they needed to begin the church. However, before He left, they asked Him, “So are you going to defeat the Romans now?” They didn’t get what He was teaching them about the Kingdom, so Jesus said in Acts 1:8: “You shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me in Judea”…that was fine. Judea is the region they were in. Then Jesus continued, “… and Samaria…” I can imagine a disgusted look went through the crowd at that point. “You mean Jesus wants us to minister to those dirty Gentiles?” Yes! Jesus died for everyone! God wanted His love to transcend their cultural boundaries and prejudices.

Practical Application

Take time to break down barriers that try to separate you from others and embrace people of all backgrounds with the same love that God has poured out upon us.

Romans 9:25; Acts 1:8

A Deceived Heart

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted. (Ezekiel 3:7)

The human heart has a remarkable capacity for both resilience and resistance. It can be open to God's wisdom and guidance, or it can be hardened by the deceptive schemes of the enemy. Satan, our adversary, often presents us with enticing opportunities that seem like blessings, but those things slowly but surely lead us away from God’s perfect path.

You need to understand that not every opportunity that comes your way is from God. The enemy disguises himself as an angel of light and he disguises his temptations as your “only opportunity” for success and happiness. As vigilant believers, even when something seems like a blessing, we need to weigh it against the unchanging truth of God's Word.

In life, you are going to meet many people who claim that “God told them to do such-and-such.” You will find people who think they have revelations that contradict Scripture. However, our foundation should always be the Word of God. This is not about a matter of opinion; it's about aligning our lives with the truth found in Scripture.

When we face conflicting voices and enticing opportunities to go against what God clearly stated in His Word, we must never follow it. We must seek guidance from our pastors, ministers, and spiritual leaders and be open to correction when we are off. It's easy to be swayed by emotions, peer pressure, or the desire for quick success. But true wisdom is anchored in the Word of God and in a humble heart that will yield to His guidance.

Practical Application

Guard your heart against becoming hardhearted and impatient. Decide to always be sensitive to God's voice. Always listen for what He is saying. In doing so, you will be better equipped to recognize and reject the deceptions of the enemy.

Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15

The Watchman’s Warning

So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. (Ezekiel 33:7)

Watchmen were people posted on towers along the walls of a city. Their job was to look for anyone who would approach the walls that was not invited. Then they would send them away or attack if necessary.

God has set us all to be watchmen in our own right, discerning the signs of the times and listening attentively to the voice of the Lord. He will warn us of things to come, but we need to pay attention.

Recently, God spoke through me as a watchman, preaching in pulpits across the country, warning of impending challenges that were coming because the nation has not followed God’s Word. The pandemic we all faced was a part of that very judgement. Now, it’s important to note that God's warnings are not given to instill fear but to prompt His people to action. He equips us with insight, understanding, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to navigate the storms of life.

Are you receptive to God’s warning and instructions? Are you hearing, receiving, and obeying what God is telling you? Another way to ask that is, “Are you Good Ground?” Good ground, as Jesus illustrated in the parable of the sower, hears the word, receives it, and obeys it (Luke 8:15). It doesn't resist or ignore divine guidance, knowing that God's wisdom surpasses human understanding.

God knows the future and will reveal it to those who seek His guidance through the Holy Spirit. We never need to be caught unprepared or unaware of the challenges that come against us. As watchmen and women in the kingdom of God, we must embrace our role with humility and diligence. Let us be a people who not only hear God's warnings but also receive them with open hearts and respond in obedience.

Practical Application

God gives us foreknowledge of the future if we are listening. But what if we didn’t listen and we find ourselves in a storm unprepared? First, accept responsibility for not listening to His Word. Next, you must repent and seek God's forgiveness, and finally take steps to make it right.

Acts 20:20; Colossians 1:28