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Hosea 14:3  Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses.  We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.

This verse, in the final chapter of the Prophecy of Hosea, is a good thought for our reflection in the present circumstances in our nation and in our world.  The United States of America has re-elected Donald Trump as their 47^th President, and the International media are waxing eloquent on the effect this will have on harmonious international relations and trade.

But Hosea’s words are a good reminder to us that our true and lasting hope is not in human political decisions or in man-made ‘idols’ (institutions, ‘scientific’ achievements and theories, technology, human wisdom, etc), but in the One True God, the Sovereign Lord of all Creation, the Author of Scripture, and the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour.  Hosea was prophesying at a time when God’s people Israel had really lost their way and were not looking in the right place for their help and rescue.  Hosea’s name and life were an integral part of his message.  Like Isaiah, Joshua, and ultimately Jesus, his name was derived from the Hebrew verb ‘to save’; in his life he was required to marry a prostitute (Gomer) and be loving and faithful to her in spite of her adulterous background.  They were to have children, and call them ‘Lo-Ruhamah’ (which means ‘not loved’), and “Lo-Ammi’ (which means ‘not my people’), to drive home to the nation just how desparate their real situation was, so that the LORD himself could show them it was “not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the LORD their God, will save them” (see 1:6-10).

The LORD revealed to his people, through Hosea’s words and life-situation, the unrelenting depth of his love and extent of his grace, if they would only renounce their sinful thoughts and ways and look to him alone for their salvation.

Is there an important lesson for us here?  (Note that there are two ways of interpreting ‘us’!).  Can we sing truthfully with all our hearts: “All my hope on God is founded; he doth still my trust renew. Me through change and chance he guideth, only good, and only true.  God unknown, he alone, calls my heart to be his own.  Pride of Man and earthly glory, sword and crown betray his trust; what with care and toil he buildeth, tower and temple, fall to dust.  But God’s power, hour by hour, is my temple and my tower. … … Still from Man to God eternal sacrifice of praise be done, high above all praises praising for the gift of Christ, his Son.  Christ doth call one and all, ye who follow shall not fall” (Joachim Neander)?

Are we looking alone to our heavenly Father to show us his compassion in these troublesome days?

– Bruce Christian