God’s Love Like a ‘Grand’ Father
Hosea 11:1-11
Why is God showing you this lesson now?
Some folks have had unpleasant or unhealthy relationships with their earthly fathers. This is a subject often examined by counselors because it can uncover why we struggle with such matters as mistrust or self-esteem.
People who have negative memories or thoughts about their earthly father (whether justified or unjustified) must take care not to transfer those feelings toward God. The thrust of this lesson is to remind us that our Heavenly Father can be trusted and that He wants to be intimately involved in our lives. Our God is tender and loving.
Perhaps you have sensed lately that God is pursuing you or even disciplining you (as described in Hosea, verses 1-4). If so, take time to think about why He may be doing this. Are there things in your life that God is calling you to forsake? Remember, your Heavenly Father’s two primary roles are that of Father and of Vinedresser. In both roles, He operates with perfect love that includes discipline.
How does this lesson connect to what God is doing in and around you?
Do you remember when you were in school and it was time for report cards to come out? No matter how good of a student you were, you hoped for the best when your progress (or lack of it) was about to be revealed. Report cards came out for Israel here, revealing that they were centering their attention on idols (verse 2).
Yet in spite of Israel’s stubborn rebellion, God would not give up on them. His nature has not changed! That persistence on His part is a demonstration of His love for you when you rebel against Him. Men would have given up on you and me a long time ago, but look again at verse nine: “For I am God, and not man, the Holy One in your midst.”
Let’s look at how we should apply this lesson. First, we should obey our Heavenly Father as good children. We should not practice “selective obedience,” picking and choosing when we will be submissive. He is worthy to be loved by our actions. Jesus said that if we love Him, we would keep His commandments. Second, we should treat one another with the same manner of love that God demonstrates toward us. We should forgive one another, help one another, encourage one another and not give up on one another. So let us demonstrate the compassion of our dear Heavenly Father!
Rick Astle– Lessons by Rick Astle, director of missions for Waccamaw Baptist Association. Astle is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Southern Seminary. He is the author of two books and lives in Conway.