God\'s Covenant Love
GOD’S COVENANT LOVE
Sunday (12/11), we continue the series in the book of Hosea (12:1-14). In the previous chapter (11:1-11), the prophet Hosea announced God’s love by boldly proclaiming His faithfulness, long-suffering, compassion, and mercy to Israel. And, even though they had continually broken fellowship with Him due to their continual backsliding and worship of pagan deities, He was willing to forgive and restore.
In chapter twelve, Hosea admonishes Israel. He tells them God’s love wouldn’t allow them to continue in their vain pursuit of foreign gods. The reason is simple. God is holy; He would not sit idly by and let His chosen ones destroy themselves without a fight. His pursuit would be relentless. There was nothing that He would allow to come between He and them. If they resisted and continued to rebel, He would chasten them severely, not to punish them but to bring them to the point of crying out to Him for deliverance.
God is not like man. He doesn’t become frustrated to the point of exasperation. He does not nor will He ever give up, turn back or give in. He had made a promise to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. And, even when they disobeyed, they would never be disowned. “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Heb 6:17-19).
Today, some may mistakenly believe that God’s love means He willingly overlooks or looks the other way when they sin. If He were that way, the promise of salvation would be a farce. Like Israel, God pursues the backslider to bring them back into intimate fellowship with Him.
And, if they continue to rebel, He, as a loving Father, chastens and disciplines them until they come to their senses. The author of Hebrews reminded God’s people who were being disciplined of HIs great love when he wrote, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:5-6).
I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook and YouTube: Calvary Inverness)
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
Sunday (12/11), we continue the series in the book of Hosea (12:1-14). In the previous chapter (11:1-11), the prophet Hosea announced God’s love by boldly proclaiming His faithfulness, long-suffering, compassion, and mercy to Israel. And, even though they had continually broken fellowship with Him due to their continual backsliding and worship of pagan deities, He was willing to forgive and restore.
In chapter twelve, Hosea admonishes Israel. He tells them God’s love wouldn’t allow them to continue in their vain pursuit of foreign gods. The reason is simple. God is holy; He would not sit idly by and let His chosen ones destroy themselves without a fight. His pursuit would be relentless. There was nothing that He would allow to come between He and them. If they resisted and continued to rebel, He would chasten them severely, not to punish them but to bring them to the point of crying out to Him for deliverance.
God is not like man. He doesn’t become frustrated to the point of exasperation. He does not nor will He ever give up, turn back or give in. He had made a promise to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. And, even when they disobeyed, they would never be disowned. “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Heb 6:17-19).
Today, some may mistakenly believe that God’s love means He willingly overlooks or looks the other way when they sin. If He were that way, the promise of salvation would be a farce. Like Israel, God pursues the backslider to bring them back into intimate fellowship with Him.
And, if they continue to rebel, He, as a loving Father, chastens and disciplines them until they come to their senses. The author of Hebrews reminded God’s people who were being disciplined of HIs great love when he wrote, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:5-6).
I look forward to our time together. Please pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the entire Calvary Chapel family.
There are several opportunities for worship. On-campus (10:00 am), drive-in church (92.1fm), and online (Facebook and YouTube: Calvary Inverness)
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
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