“Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. 2 You make vows and break them; you kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere—one murder after another. 3 That is why your land is in mourning, and everyone is wasting away. Even the wild animals, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea are disappearing. 4 “Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint, you priests, is with you. So you will stumble in broad daylight, and your false prophets will fall with you in the night. And I will destroy Israel, your mother. 6 My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.” Hosea 4:1-6 NLT
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. 2 But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. 3 I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him. 4 I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him.” Hosea 11:1-4
Father God,
Through these chapters 4 to 8 we read endlessly of Israel’s unfaithfulness, openly rejecting Your law, openly worshiping idols and Your Priests openly leading them astray. But them we catch snippets of the depth of Your compassion. How You loved him and led him and cared for him with kindness and love. You stooped from heaven to feed Israel.
You wait, You look, You hope and still love. Even in the face of such unfaithfulness You provide an opportunity. The writer of the letter to the Roams speaks of Your kindness, “4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4). In the face of our sin and God’s kindness we find forgiveness. How wonderful the message of Your love has never changed and You still grant us free will to choose. You are eternally kind and eternally merciful and patient. To those who would repent that is.
Help us to be kind and gracious.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 19th July 2025
I could only remember snatches of this song and am so glad to have found it again. It is God’s kindness that led me to repentance.
Oh my Lord You are so kind
Oh my Lord You are so kind
Morning to morning day to day
You reveal Your righteous ways
It’s Your kindness that leads to repentance
It’s Your blood that brings forgiveness
It’s Your mercy that leads me here
To Your throne of grace
Lyrics: Charlie Hines