Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 7

“Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning!” (Hosea 8:11 NLT)

From: December 7, 2014

God had provided one way for the Israelites to have their sins forgiven, one altar, in one place called Jerusalem. Yet, they chose to build their own altars according to their own desires. They rejected God’s redemption by building their own means of morality. As if their sins were not great enough, this man-made religion was perhaps their greatest sin. In trying to cover their own sins, they multiplied them. This is a foreshadowing of how many have rejected God’s Son today. God provided Jesus as the only means for our redemption from sin, the only way to be reconciled to God. He is the fulfillment of the Jewish sacrificial system, which always pointed to Him. Yet, people today continue to build their own altars, declaring themselves good based on their own thinking. They say, “I have no need of a Savior. My sins did not crucify Jesus. I think He was a good man, a good teacher, but I’m doing fine on my own.” And in saying this they multiply their own sin.

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” (Psalm 126:5)

From: December 7, 2013

The principle of sowing and reaping is found throughout the Bible. The principle involves at least two features: 1) You reap according to what you sow. You sow grass, you get grass. Sow weeds, get weeds. 2) You reap more than you sow. This is the principle of multiplication.
We can choose to sow good seed even in seasons of suffering. Even when it is tempting to eat the seed rather than sow it. When we sow good seed, we can trust the Lord with the harvest. And when the time for reaping comes, He turns our weeping into joy.

“Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring” (Hosea 6:3)

From: December 7, 2012

There is an answer for the nation that is under God’s judgment: Return to the Lord and desire to know Him. God is faithful. If we repent and desire to know Him, He will restore us and reveal Himself to us, just as surely as the coming dawn. This is the antidote for the nation that has lost the “knowledge of God” (Hos.4:1). Let us pursue knowing our God and let us teach the nations about Him.

“After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence” (Hosea 6:2)

From: December 7, 2011

In the midst of a scathing critique and judgment on Israel, the prophet pauses to declare this word of promise. On the third day there will be a resurrection that will make it possible for us to live in God’s presence. Jesus has fulfilled this prophecy.