July 16, 2022 - Hosea 4-5

In many ways did Israel sin against the Lord but more egregiously than anything else, and from which other sins flowed, the people left the Lord and worshiped and trusted the idols they had made with their own hands: “My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore” (4:12). Think about that for a moment! The people bowed down to sticks of wood and sought counsel from them! Today, people continue to look in all the wrong places for help and counsel and, like Israel, so many are led astray and to lives of sorrow and woe. How different for us! Hear the testimony of Scripture that, in the Word of God, we have a sure word of hope.

The Psalmist: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

Jesus: “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63).

Paul to young Timothy: “How from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15) and that, by God’s Word, “the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).

Sing them over again to me,

Wonderful words of life;

Let me more of their beauty see,

Wonderful words of life;

Words of life and beauty

Teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

Wonderful words of life;

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

Wonderful words of life. -- P. P. Bliss (1874)