Today you should read: Hosea 8
I hope it’s never said of me that I “rejected what is good.” That’s what Hosea 8:3 says about God’s people. The rest of the chapter is more detail about the same idea. It’s heartbreaking. The reality, though, is that describes me all too well. That’s where my sinful heart takes me when I don’t yield to the Holy Spirit. Hosea is documenting what we are like in our relationship with God.
What does Hosea’s overall story do to your heart? For me, it makes me thankful for grace. God has given me far too much in Christ, far more than I ever could imagine. Even when I stray, when I lust, when I get greedy, when I choose idols over Him, He welcomes me back into His arms. He seats me at His table. That’s the beauty of the gospel.
This chapter also convicts me. The Lord has set us apart. I need to pursue a holy life (Galatians 5, 1 Corinthians 13, Colossians 3) that is marked by gospel transformation (Romans 6:1-3, Romans 8:1-2). As our Lead Pastor, Tim Parsons, often says, “Holiness and grace are two sides of the same coin.” When we understand grace, we chase after righteousness rather than giving in to more and more sin.
That’s my 2¢ today… but what did God teach you? Share in the comments section below. Blessings, CPC!
By: Todd Thomas — Worship & College Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
This passage just blows me away. After all God had brought Israel through, this wasn’t a simple ‘oops, we wandered away from God.’ They flat out kicked him to the curb and set up an infrastructure that would allow them to thrive in his place. I can understand his anger!
I love your point on grace… being free from the burdens of guilt and shame over our sin allows us to devote that energy instead to understanding and pursuing the Lord. Great word today!
7) They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind. The stalks of grain wither and produce nothing to eat.
This is the verse that really got to me today. How many times in my life have I “harvested the whirlwind” as a result of poor choices? I agree with Todd and am so thankful for God’s grace.
🎼 I need thee, oh I need thee! Every hour I need thee! 🎼
Thanks for the commentary today brother Thomas.
Thanks for your thoughts Mike & John! One more thing that resonates with me today: I am so grateful for the Word of God. Passages (and books) like these are tough to read, but they are like the rope connected to a life preserver that God pulls to bring us back in.
Amen!