2016. 09. 20. Tuesday.
When something disheartening happens(Hosea 1:10~11)
Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #300 Just When I am Disheartened(#406 in previous version)
The fulfillment of the Word is the greatest answer that God grants to us. No matter what hardship comes our way, we will be all right if the Word of God is fulfilled in us. God revealed this through Hosea. Hosea’s wife Gomer was a promiscuous woman and even bore him children who were not his own. However, Hosea always followed God’s Word and experienced the fulfillment of the Word. That is why he followed God’s Word and married Gomer. God had a plan for Hosea.
1. Situation of the age
The man of faith, Hosea, saw the situation of the age through his own experiences. He confirmed what the age was teaching through God’s Word. Hosea saw Israel’s past of numerous disasters. He also saw the reason why he must come out from future destruction. He also saw today, through which he must restore the Gospel.
2. Spiritual facts
Hosea saw the spiritual facts and came to know about Satan’s strategy. Through his wife’s promiscuity, God revealed to Hosea how the Israelites were dying within idol worship. Just like Hosea’s time, we are living in an age in which the world is suffering because of idolatry. Genesis 3, 6 and 11 have entered into the developed nations as an advanced culture. Conversely, idolatry is rampant in the field of developing nations in the form of tradition and customs. We must realize the disasters that come as a result of idolatry and pray.
3. Greatest prophet of his generation
God commanded Hosea regarding the problems of his wife through His Word. And Hosea who held on to the covenant, despite his wife’s immorality became the prophet who received the greatest blessing of his generation. If we discover the covenant that will be fulfilled through God’s Word, no one will be able to block it If we, like Hosea, hold on to the covenant as children of God, the problems we experience because of people, events or our environment will not affect us. This is because we possess God’s covenant that will absolutely be fulfilled.
[Prayer of the Evangelist] Creator God! Help us to look to the age and hear Your voice when disheartening things happen. Help us to know the spiritual facts and hold on to the covenant that will be fulfilled.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service / 2016. 06. 05.
[Bible Reading] Amos 8.
[Gospel Memory Verse] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins(Matthew 1:21).