A Devotional Thought From Hosea

I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.        

Hosea 7:12

The prophet, speaking for God, addresses His ancient people who have fallen into religious and moral sin, not unlike many modern western nations, and declares that God says He has given them His law, a law that would cleanse their lives and save their nation and would restore the individual’s relationship with God, and these sinful people have looked at it quizzically and suggested it was off the wall crazy, a strange thing. What? Men and women should not have sexual intimacy unless they are married; once married make it work for a lifetime; faithfully worship and raise the children to love the God of the Bible; keep your family from being dysfunctional; be honest and hardworking; don’t let murder enter your mind, heart, or actions; do not steal or betray your country; don’t lie about others; don’t always try to assert your superiority by hurting others; press your government by every legal means to do good, as God defines good, for the nation; encourage others to follow God’s word also.

Give those rules to people in our societies today, where do what you want to do without restraint is the standard of many, and they will count it as a strange set of rules. And, sadly for our national future, many have rejected them. Following the word of God is the way out and up!