Read Hosea 13:4-6.
As part of our work, my team equips believers to study their Bibles using a series of six questions. I want to share what God revealed to me in these verses from Hosea using this method.
What do I learn about God from this passage? He is the self-existing One and He is personal to us. He has revealed Himself to us. He expects to be the only God worth acknowledging. He is the only Savior. He cared and cares for us in trial. He sustains us. He deserves worth and acknowledgement. He is all-satisfying.
What do I learn about man from this passage? We need God. We need Him to save us. We sometimes experience difficult times. When other things satisfy us, we become prideful and forget God.
Is there a sin(s) to avoid in this passage? We need to avoid pride, our tendency to forget God, and finding satisfaction in other things besides God.
Is there a promise(s) to trust in this passage? The Lord is our God. He is our Savior. God cares for us.
Is there an example(s) to follow in this passage? We’re warned not to find pride in God’s gifts, but find delight in the Giver.
Is there a command(s) to obey in this passage? The command is implied in this passage. We are to find sufficiency in God and acknowledge Him as all sufficient. We are supposed to enjoy the blessings of God without depending on them more than we depend on Him. We are to love God, not His gifts. He knows what’s best for us ... Himself.
God, thank You for being all-sufficient. Forgive us for the times we've found satisfaction in Your gifts rather than You. Amen.
-from a missionary on our Diaspora Team