Our Best Thought is a weekly devotional thoughtfully penned by leaders in DUMC arising from their daily devotions. The devotional’s title, “Our Best Thought” is taken from the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision” as a reference to God: “Thou my best thought, by day or by night.” Publishes on Sundays.

Scripture

And in that day I will answer, declares the Lord,
I will answer the heavens,
and they shall answer the earth,
and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil,
and they shall answer Jezreel,
and I will sow her for myself in the land.
And I will have mercy on No Mercy,
and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’;
and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’”

Hosea 2:21-23 (ESV)

Observation:
The word “answer” was used five times in these three verses. The purpose of the original design of creation was for fellowship between God and man. That purpose was thwarted in the fall. The consequences of that rebellion have affected all creation. But here it speaks of a change in circumstances – a time when God will graciously answer the prayers of the people. No one that plows the land and sows the seed can be sure of the fruit. God is the only One who makes things grow. “Jezreel” (God scatters), speaks of the way God would transform His people – they would not be scattered in judgement but scattered as seed for God, in their land, where they would enjoy a renewed and restored relationship with Him. God is starting all over again with Israel.

Hosea’s second child, a daughter, was named Lo-ruhama, meaning “No Mercy” (Hosea 1:6) signified God bringing judgment on Israel, no longer extending His favour towards them. Hosea’s third child, a son, was named Lo-ammi, meaning “Not My People” (Hosea 1:9). Due to their unfaithfulness to be His, He will no longer be their God. Both these names, originally given as symbols and reminders of judgement, are now transformed into a mark of restoration. God had mercy on those deserving of judgement. He took those who had been sojourners and exiles into a covenant relationship to Himself. With this, the restoration would be complete. God’s people would relate to Him as His people and God would relate to His people as their God.

Application:
God has called me into a covenant relationship with Him. Yet often, like Israel, I tend to chase after counterfeit glories that can only provide temporal satisfaction. But this passage reminds me that God is faithful and He keeps His promises. He will restore those who turn to Him. This is a constant journey of learning to present my life to God to be a tool of His righteousness, learning to be yielded to the control of the Holy Spirit.

Today, I see the restoration promise of Hosea commissioned in Jesus Christ, and continues its fulfillment as people from different nations are redeemed in Christ. We are scattered across the world but connected together as His people.

Response:
Lord, thank You for being faithful even when I am not. You hold to Your promise to see me through. Even when I rebelled against You, my Creator, You still sought me and restored me through Christ’s redeeming work on the cross. Help me to be faithful to You as You continue to do Your sanctification work in my personal life and in the life of the church that You have called me to be in. Amen.

Michelle Lau serves as Administrator for NextGen.

Our Best Thought is a weekly devotional that follows DUMC’s Bible Reading Plan. Posts on Sundays.