Hosea 2:8

December 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.” (Hosea 2:8)

The imagery in this chapter is impactful, and this verse is devastatingly powerful. Using the imagery of marital unfaithfulness, God paints a picture for Israel to help Israel realize her unfaithfulness. 

What makes this verse painful is the personal disconnect. One party is supplying everything – grain, wine, oil, silver, and gold – and the other party is squandering it on idolatry. 

Imagine a divorced man living in poverty to pay child support to his ex and her new husband, and all that money being used to provide trips and hobbies for the ex’s husband and not the kids. In Hosea’s case, God has given Israel everything, and they are using those blessings to worship Baal! 

Before I slap Israel around, I need to look in the mirror. How many times have I wasted God’s blessings on worldly pleasures? Too many. 

Father, help me be more aware of how I spend your blessings. Help me remember that I go to work with the energy you provided. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Hosea, idolatry, Old Testament

Hosea 1:2

December 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, ‘Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.’” (Hosea 1:2)

Today, we go back in time (Hosea, about 760–710 BC, and Daniel, about 605–530 BC). Hosea was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom before it fell to Assyria. 

You know things may get crazy when God tells you to take a wife who is a harlot as an object lesson. In addition to the wife he was commanded to take, God told Hosea what to name his kids. Again, as an object lesson to his nation. 

In this, we see that God involves himself into the fine details of life on earth. And when he does that, it isn’t always comfortable. In fact, these occasions may be quite painful or trying. We will read of Gomer’s unfaithfulness and God’s command for Hosea to restore her over and over. Why does God work this way? To teach a lesson to a greater crowd. 

I’m reminded of the man who was born blind in John 9. When the Pharisees suggested that his blindness was due to his parents being sinners or he himself being a sinner, “Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” 

Imagine the difficulty of having a child who was blind from birth. I have had the chance to do that recently. I have twin brothers in my class in Boston. While I am amazed to see how much they can do, my mind continually goes back to how challenging it had to be to have two blind babies, then toddlers, then kids, then teens, then adults. Jesus said the man in Jn 9 was born blind for a reason … that the works of God might be displayed in him. The same is true for Hosea. 

Father, help me to respond to challenges in my life in a way that honors you and instructs others. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Hosea, Old Testament

Daniel 12:1-2

December 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1-2)

This is the clearest indication of resurrection in the Old Testament. We can confidently say this is not a metaphorical reference to Israel’s national restoration because of the mention of the book, presumably the book of life. 

Being included in a book or list is a recurring theme throughout the scriptures, culminating in the Lamb’s Book of Life in Revelation. “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭27‬)

I’m thankful that my name is in the book, based on Jesus’s work and not mine. Hallelujah!

Father, thank you for the promise of resurrection to eternal life for those whose names are written in the book. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, Old Testament, resurrection

Daniel 11:32

December 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” (Daniel 11:32)

This verse seems to be describing folks in a specific situation under the influence of Antiochus Epiphanes. However, the core elements are surely applicable to me. 

There are two groups of people: those who violate the covenant (with God) and those who don’t. The former are moved by flattery, which is nothing more than insincere praise. In my mind, this person is driven – even manipulated – by pride, and thus they are seduced with flattery. 

The latter stand firm because they know their God. I surely want my pride to be in check so that I’m not tempted to evil by flattery. Humility can be a tremendous asset in these situations. I also want to know God deeply, so deeply that I stand firm in my faith when worldly offers are tossed my way. 

Father, please help me to be humble, so that I remain faithful to you rather than be drawn away by flattery. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, humility, Old Testament, pride

Daniel 10:4, 5, 10, 18

December 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. (Daniel 10: 4-5)

And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. (Daniel 10:10)

Again, one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. (Daniel 10:18)

This chapter gives us a glimpse of the intersection between the spirit (or supernatural) world and the natural world, as Daniel encounters supernatural beings that present themselves as natural ones. Daniel describes the first character as a “man clothed in linen.” (4-5) Then, in verse 10, he describes a hand touching him. Finally, in verse 18, he described being touched by “one having the appearance of man.” 

Often in my circles, this intersection of the supernatural and natural is dismissed as being too charismatic or Pentecostal. While there have certainly been excesses, even abuse of the idea of the supernatural in the charismatic world, we must be careful not to dismiss the spirit realm. 

Not understanding something is no reason to act as if it doesn’t exist. Hebrews 13:2 gives us a sober warning in this regard, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Father, help me be excited that you are at work in the natural world even when I don’t understand it completely. Help me to see this world with spiritual eyes. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, Hebrews, Old Testament
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