Our text taken from Hosea 2:19-23
A) “I will
betroth you to Me forever” - This word “betroth” is the word “marry”
engage for marriage. God wants a relationship and is faithful in His
relationships with us. How does He betroth us with? What benefits He has for
us?
1.
In Righteousness
2. In Justice
3. In Loving
kindness
4. In Mercy
5. In
Faithfulness
The results are “we shall know the
Lord” (Hosea 2:20) In Hebrews 8:11 it tells us “all will know Him”. We
cannot teach believers to know the Lord – because we have limitations. And
anyone who knows the Lord will know Him in the above five things. We cannot
know God without His Righteousness (a gift) or without His Loving kindness or
Mercy. We can also know God through His justice and Faithfulness because God is
faithful. These five things mentioned above will allow us to have a good
relationship with our Lord Jesus as He says He will betroth us (bride as the
Church) forever.
Firstly,
it is in Christ Righteousness
not our righteousness. We are made the righteousness of God. We are at right
standing with God. This righteousness has nothing to do with us. This is not
about our obedience which is important too. It is about one man’s obedience
(Jesus) that made many righteous. (Roman 5:19)
Secondly
in Justice. How to know God in
justice? We know God is fair. We are also justified by Him and no one should
condemn us now in Christ. We are made right by Him. The book of Roman 8:33 says “who shall bring a charge against
God’s elect?” Justice made us free from condemnation and guilt, fear and worry.
Justice has made us so secure.
Thirdly,
what is Loving kindness? Psalmist David
says, “Thy loving kindness is better than life” Life is meaningless when there
is no love and kindness. Love is beautiful – love is kind, gentle and they
don’t get angry with you even if you look like a fool or fails in life. When
everything fails love is built to last. God favors you because He loves you. (I John 4:19) God’s love is so lavishing because of
His gracious grace – His unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor on us. There is
no need to fight or struggle to qualify to get God’s favor and blessings. His
grace is all over you and me because He first loves us. Our part is to trust
His love for us and enjoy His favor. This is His Loving Kindness.
Fourthly,
In Mercy – we deserve to be punished yet we are
forgiven by God. God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Finally,
God is faithful no matter what. If
we are doubtful God will be faithful to us. If we fail or sin God is faithful. He
is faithful because of Jesus who has punished for us already.
B) The second part in Hosea 2:21 says “It shall come to pass in that day
(today) that I will answer” – The benefits of God answering prayers. Is God
answering your prayers? Yes, He will! The prayer of the righteous man avail
much … Elijah prayed for rain and rain has come! That means our prayers are
effective because we are righteous. Righteous man is right standing with God.
You can pray anything on earth to heaven God will answer you. God has an answer
for you. God says “I will answer” and His answer is always “Yes” and He wants
you to say “Amen”. That is what we need today – an always answer prayers
because we are betroth or married forever.
C) The third part God says, “I will give the answer from heaven to the earth – and
the earth shall manifest what? With GRAIN, with
NEW WINE and with OIL. These are provisions for us and it also
speaks more about the spiritual things. Jesus multiply the grain, turned the
water into wine and Elijah’s oil overflowed. God not only supplies, He over
supply us when there is lack. Supernatural things will happen when natural
things dry out.
When Jesus multiplies the loaves and
fishes for the 5,000 people, there is actually an oversupply. This speaks of
surplus lifestyle in God. God who supplies seed to the sower and multiplies the
seed sown and increase the fruit of our righteousness. God is giving an answer
to earth and He is saying “Multiply”. Be blessed!
D) Lastly, Hosea
2:23 speaking again on mercy He says, “I
will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy”. What is mercy? Knowing mercy is one thing but
believing in His mercy is another thing. Mercy is what you deserve but you are
pardon. Mercy pardons you even you deserve punishment. As you know, God is a Forgiving
God and He must have a lot of Mercy. And we know God by His mercy.
May the Lord's mercy, loving kindness
and grace be poured upon you all! Amen!
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