Pursue – Week 4
This week we wrap up this series about the Prophet, the prostitute and us. No matter what our story is or how far we’ve run from God, we have a God who pursues us! But relationships aren’t a one-way street, and we are called to pursue Him. When we do, we receive WAY MORE than we could expect or anticipate.
This series will be walking through the book of Hosea in the Bible. To check out an overview of Hosea access this video from the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/hosea/.
God is a God who pursues. We see God with a heart of compassion, like a parent with a wayward child.
“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. Hosea 11:8
“But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. 15 I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble[a] into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt. Hosea 2:14-15
At that time I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself. I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’” Hosea 2:23
No relationship is a one-way street. You need to respond!
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. Hosea 12:6
We respond by returning to God and then repenting (to turn and go in a different direction).
Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. 3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” 4 “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. Hosea 14:2-4
We respond by returning to God and repenting and then we receive:
- Grace
- Mercy
- Healing
- Love
NEXT STEPS:
- Respond by returning and repenting.
- Spend time with Jesus and receive.
- Be baptized.