READ Hosea 14
After pronouncing judgment on Israel for sin, Hosea prophesies restoration and blessing.

INSIGHT
Hosea is instructed by the Lord to take a wife whose name is Gomer and who later becomes unfaithful to him. Though Hosea loves her steadfastly, her infidelity compounds and she finally leaves him. Sometime later—as Hosea is walking down the street—he sees his wife being sold as a slave on an auction block. In a profound gesture of unconditional love, Hosea redeems (buys back) his wife and restores her to her former position of honor and comfort as his wife. In doing so, Hosea sounds a warning to Israel and plays out a moving example of the unconditional love of God for
His people. If they sin, He will judge them; but after judgment, He will restore them to His grace.

PRAYER
God loves His children unconditionally. Praise Him that He does not leave us to our own abilities in following Him:
He is your praise and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awe-inspiring works your eyes have seen (Deuteronomy 10:21).

Pray this confession to the Lord:
I said, “Lord, be gracious to me;
Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up;
Then I will repay them.
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and amen. (Psalm 41:4, 10, 13).

As you confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, pray this affirmation to God:
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater love for your family
• The work of missions in North America
• Whatever else is on your heart

Now offer this closing prayer to God:
Now to him who is able to strengthen you  according to my gospel and the proclamation about Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept silent for long ages but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal God to advance the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles — to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ — to him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 16:25-27).