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August 9, 2024 | ||
Dear Church Family, Game over. Have you ever felt like that? Especially with your relationship with God? Sometimes we feel like we’ve sinned too bad, messed up too many times, or failed God and He’s just going to give up on us. I’ve started reading through the minor prophets and started yesterday with Hosea. This prophet was told to be a living illustration of God’s love by marrying a prostitute. Israel, like Gomer, had been unfaithful to the Lord over and over again. In the first chapter Hosea marries Gomer and she bears three children. Each child’s name stressed Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s response. These names and explanations make it feel like it’s “game over” for Israel. We know that they will eventually be taken from the land and deported to Assyria. The first son’s name was Jezreel, which was the name of the valley where God judge the people. The daughter’s name meant “no mercy” and the second son’s name meant “not my people.” At this point, it feels like God has given up on His people. But the chapter doesn’t end there. Right after God declares in verse nine, “Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God,” it ends with these hopeful words:
With God, as long as we have breath, it’s not “game over.” Just like there was still hope for Israel, there’s still hope for you. No matter how far gone you feel, now is the time to turn from your sin and turn toward God. Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. –Pastor Dave | ||
Game Over?
