Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
November 13, 2021
Read Hosea 11:1-8
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more I called them, the further they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and they burned incense to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up in my arms, but they did not know that I healed them. 4 I led them with bands of human kindness, with cords of love. I treated them like those who lift infants to their cheeks; I bent down to them and fed them. 5 They will return to the land of Egypt, and Assyria will be their king, because they have refused to return to me. 6 The sword will strike wildly in their cities; it will consume the bars of their gates and will take everything because of their schemes. 7 My people are bent on turning away from me; and though they cry out to the Most High, he will not raise them up. 8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart winces within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.
Good Morning! God loves us and will never give up on us.
To anyone who has ever been around children as a parent, caregiver, or teacher, you have experienced the challenges of teaching a child what to do or how to be, and then the child chose a different way to do things. You suffer with them as they fail, yet you remain by their side quietly (or maybe very vocally) trying to show them a better way. For most of us, we have learned that those head-strong children must learn for themselves that their way isn’t the best and that it is okay to ask for help.
Our God is a loving God who patiently waits as we, the head-strong children, make our choices and endure the challenges which those choices create. God’s love for us never waivers, never fails. Thanks be to God! When we finally concede that our lives are broken by sin, God is right there to help us pick up the pieces. God’s compassion grows warm and tender as he laughs and cries with us.
Through this beautiful example of love and compassion, we are shown how to love those who challenge us. As God never gives up on us, we should never give up on others.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. May we show others the love and compassion that you show to us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Because God faithfully loves me, I will faithfully love others.
God loves everyone! Pastor Liz
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