CONFIDENT SERIES

Week 8 Introduction: We’ve been finding daily encouragement from God in his word and growing in our confidence in him. This week we continue to look at the lives of the Old Testament men and women of faith…seeing how they come to trust God and what that trust looks like. Their lives encourage us to walk in trust through all the details of our lives. In the coming days, we see the story of Miriam, Moses’ sister; we look at David once again; Solomon, David’s son; Hosea, one of God’s prophets; and Hezekiah, another of the great kings of Judah. Let’s dig in together…

Monday, May 11 - Morning Exodus 2:1-5 Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. 4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. 5 Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it.

Comments: Some childhood memories stay with us for a lifetime. Maybe you remember, from the time you were a child, adults whispering in their conversations. You only heard bits and pieces from their conversation. It was an adult world, and you only had bits and pieces. Perhaps something important was happening that would shape your family for years to come. The first mention of Miriam, the sister of Moses, comes from this desperate and frightening scene. Miriam’s mother, Jochebed was her name, gave birth to a boy. During this time in Egypt, the Hebrew population had grown so large that the Egyptian Pharaoh began to see them as a threat. He commanded that the Hebrew boys be killed after they were born and their bodies be thrown into the Nile. But when Jochebed gave birth to her baby boy, she hid and protected him as long as she could. As time passed, she could no longer do that. She decided to send her baby boy down the river in a basket hoping that he would be rescued by someone that would want him, that would take care of him and raise him. Jochebed’s efforts were rewarded. A daughter of Pharaoh found her precious little boy. Now here’s the thing: Miriam watched the story unfold. Can you imagine watching your little brother pushed out into the currents of the Nile? Can you imagine trusting God’s purposes in such a desperate moment? This is no doubt where Miriam’s faith, in part, was born. Jochebed left, but Miriam stayed along the river bank and saw the one that snatched up that little baby given the name Moses. What moments early in your life have help you grow to trust in the Lord?

Let’s pray: Lord God Almighty, remind me that you control all things; the currents of the rivers of our lives flow at your command. Build trust in my life as I look to you. Provide me, I pray, your peace and grace this day. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Application: 1. What experiences from your childhood have most shaped your faith? What happened, and how do you interpret these moments today? 2. Where was Miriam as her brother was placed into a basket and into the Nile? How do you imagine she experienced this? How do you think it might have impacted her faith? 3. What desperate moments of trust have you had in your life? What happened and what did you do? 4. Growing up, what adults most instilled faith in you? How did they/he/she do that?

Monday, May 11 - Midday Exodus 15:19-21 19 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”

Comments: We pick up the story of Miriam, the sister of Moses. This event comes immediately after the miracle crossing of the Red Sea by the people of Israel. Imagine the relief of the people. At one point, they were backed up against the sea by the army of Pharaoh. They were refugees with no army, no weapons, and what must have seemed like no hope. But the Lord intervened for his people and divided the sea so that his people could cross over to the other side on dry land. The Lord did it all. The people did nothing but trust the Lord. Once on the other side, Moses and the people broke out into worship. We are told that Miriam led the way for the women to sing and dance before the Lord. This was no planned worship service; it was spontaneous joy. Here we see the heart of Miriam. She knows God’s salvation and experienced it. How can she not celebrate? There is such freedom found in living faith. We see that on display. There is no bowing to social convention, no question of propriety. She does not worry what people will think. There is only worship. What kind of faith does this?

Let’s pray: Lord God, thank you for the freedom and joy of worship. Your grace gives us a reason to vent our praise and to enjoy what you have done even more. Thank you for saving your people. Lord, we worship you and acknowledge your goodness. Thank you for your faithful care and your loving-kindness. For we pray in your name. Amen.

Application: 1. Why does Miriam break forth in praise? What does her worship reveal to us about her faith in God? 2. How does enjoyment of God serve to reinforce faith? How do faith and worship serve to strengthen each other? How have you seen this in your life? 3. This is an amazing story. How did the Lord save his people? What is amazing about your redemption story? How does this continue to influence you to this day?

Monday, May 11 - Evening Numbers 12:10-15 When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous—it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, 11 and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed. 12 Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.” 13 So Moses cried out to the Lord, “Please, God, heal her!” 14 The Lord replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” 15 So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

Comments: Families are complex relational systems. Miriam’s family was no exception. At the time of the Exodus, Miriam’s two brothers became the two most important leaders of Israel. God chose Moses to lead the charge to liberate the people from bondage in Egypt. Moses stuttered, so God appointed Aaron to become the spokesman for the new movement. Moses and Aaron could not have been more different as brothers. Moses was introverted, but steady and faith-filled. Aaron was outgoing and gregarious, willing to do what was needed to get the approval of the crowd. Moses was the leader, but Aaron began the official priesthood. God wanted Moses because of his faithfulness and his humility. Moses sought the Lord and listened to the Lord. The result of their family conflict was an attempt to steal power from Moses. Miriam got the ball rolling and took the lead because Moses had married an African woman, an Ethiopian, someone not from among their people. This must have seemed like betrayal to Miriam. So, Miriam used her concern to gain Aaron’s support to take power from Moses. The Lord knew about this and became the defender of his servant Moses. The end result for Miriam was frightening and revealing. She became leprous, sick without hope of recovery. This was a sign of what this sort of division can do to a family and to a nation. But true to his character, Moses pleaded his sister’s cause and asked God to spare her life. This scene reveals God’s wisdom in choosing Moses to lead the people. What can we learn from Miriam here? Faith means trusting God when our family of origin is broken, when birth order creates competition and conflict. God chose Moses, though the youngest in his family, to demonstrate his grace and his ways. Miriam, for her part, learned to trust the ways of the Lord even when they didn’t make sense to her. She learned that God welcomes outsiders into his covenant family. She learned humility before God and before her brothers.

Let’s pray: Our gracious Heavenly Father, your ways are higher than our ways and your thoughts our thoughts. Give me your grace to accept your ways when they do not make sense to me. Give me a humble heart to trust your purposes in my life and in the lives of my family members. For in your name I pray. Amen.

Application: 1. What caused Miriam (and Aaron) to speak against their brother? What seemed to irk Miriam? 2. What matters in your family have caused a rift between siblings (or other family members)? Why do you think this happened? 3. How can we come to trust God for (perceived) inequities in our families? Why is this important to developing a greater trust in God? 4. What is the pecking order in your family? Who is in charge? How has this affected your family relationships?

Tuesday, May 12 - Morning 1 Samuel 21:1-6 David went to Nob, to Ahimelek the priest. Ahimelek trembled when he met him, and asked, “Why are you alone? Why is no one with you?” 2 David answered Ahimelek the priest, “The king sent me on a mission and said to me, ‘No one is to know anything about the mission I am sending you on.’ As for my men, I have told them to meet me at a certain place. 3 Now then, what do you have on hand? Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find.” 4 But the priest answered David, “I don’t have any ordinary bread on hand; however, there is some consecrated bread here—provided the men have kept themselves from women.” 5 David replied, “Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men’s bodies are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!” 6 So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away.

Comments: Today, we are going to take a second look at David’s life: how he demonstrates faith in God, and how David also prepares us for Jesus. Our text for this morning comes from the time when David is on the run. King Saul saw David as a threat to his throne, and he has put a bounty on David’s head. During this period in David’s life, he has become desperate because he has nowhere to go and no resources to depend on. Add to this, other men and their families have joined David and his cause. The weight of responsibility he carries has only grown over time. What does he do? He arrives at the Lord’s sanctuary asking the priest for bread. But the priest tells him there is none except the showbread. This is consecrated bread placed on the holy table in the sanctuary of the Lord. Only the priest is allowed to enter the sanctuary, and only he and his family may eat this consecrated bread. Here we find David taking it for himself and his men. What made him think that he could do that? David walked with the Lord. He knew the Lord, that he is gracious and loving, and David trusted that the Lord would provide for him. In a real sense, David is acting like a priest. This is such a beautiful picture of the goodness of God to provide and the faith of David to trust the Lord in this moment. How can we demonstrate faith today, knowing that the Lord will provide for us?

Let’s pray: Lord God, our provider. At this time when so many people are worried about the future, whether they will have jobs and also the resources they need, remind us that you are gracious and loving, and that we can trust in you. For we pray in your holy name. Amen.

Application: 1. What did David do to secure food when he and his men were hungry? Why is this such a bold move on David’s part? 2. What do David’s actions reveal to us about the nature of his faith? How did he know he could trust the Lord? How can we trust God at moments like this? 3. Jesus spoke about the scene from David’s life when he taught his disciples about the Sabbath. How does David point the way to Jesus?

Tuesday, May 12 - Midday 2 Samuel 12:20-23 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Comments: Do you continue to trust God when tragedy comes? When your earnest prayers are not answered? Here’s what happened to David. After having an affair with Bathsheba, she became pregnant. David’s sin that he thought was private went public. Soon everyone would know, and his family would be devastated by the news. But something far worse happened. When Bathsheba’s baby was born, the child was sick. The Lord told David the boy would die. But David prayed and refused to give up. He waited to see whether God would answer. It must have been heartbreaking for David and Bathsheba when the boy died. But, notice what David did in this moment. He immediately went into the sanctuary of the Lord to worship him. When David was asked by his attendants about his action, David explained that as long as the child was alive, there was hope the Lord would answer his prayer. This is a living faith, one that looks to God no matter what the circumstances are. It is a faith that worships and honors God even when our prayers are not answered as we would like. David didn’t curse God or deny God. Instead, he bowed before the Lord, trusting the Lord’s wisdom and goodness.

Let’s pray: Our loving heavenly Father, enable us to trust you at all times. Reveal your goodness to us day after day. Help us to trust your ways, especially when your ways are not in accordance to our wants. We look to you alone and worship you, the true and living God. For in your name we pray. Amen.

Application: 1. Why did David pray even though the Lord told him what was going to happen? How was this also a sign of trust in the Lord? 2. How did David respond when his son died? Why do you think David did this? 3. What do you do when God does not answer your prayers? How do these moments effect your faith in him?

Tuesday, May 12 - Evening 2 Samuel 18:31-33 31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The LORD has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.” 32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.” 33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Comments: The unthinkable happened in David’s family. Absalom, his son and the heir to his throne, became disillusioned with his father David. Absalom repeatedly sought an audience with his father, but David refused to see him. Absalom’s response was to plot to overthrown his father, seize the throne and make himself king. And, at first it looked like he succeeded. David went on the run, and his future looked in doubt. But the Lord protected David by rallying the soldiers of Israel to his cause. Absalom’s coup attempt failed, and David’s army pursued Absalom and his supporters. In the process, Absalom was killed in a strange accident. The text today is the report that comes to David telling him his son Absalom is dead. You would think the report would bring David relief. His throne is secure once again. But instead, David weeps bitterly over this immense loss. Psalm 3 records David’s experience during this moment:

But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. Psalm 3:3-5

I love that last statement. He says, for my part I lie down and sleep, because the Lord sustains me. Even in the midst of this conspiracy against him, we find David able to rest because he trusts the Lord. Walking with God does not mean that we will not experience deep pain or hardship. It means that no matter what happens, we can take refuge in the Lord.

Let’s pray: Our True and Faithful king, remind us that when we are hurting, you are still on your throne. Thank you, O Lord, for hearing me and answering me when I come to you. Thank you for the peace that gives me rest. For I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Application: 1. Why does David weep bitterly? Why is what should be good news also very painful bad news for David? 2. How is David able to rest when his kingdom is in jeopardy? How does God protect him? 3. Why does this moment require David to trust God? How does David demonstrate that he has done that? 4. How can we rest peacefully when difficult or painful times come? How does God make that possible?

Wednesday, May 13 - Morning [Taylor Larson] 1 Kings 3:5-10 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. Comments: Today we look at the story of Solomon, David’s son, and the third king of Israel. Solomon was renowned for his wisdom and his wealth. During his reign, Israel enjoyed peace after decades of war, and it had the largest borders of any time in its history. The country amassed so much gold and silver that they became as common as stones. Solomon undertook major civic projects like building the temple of the Lord and the royal palace. He studied the natural world, collected exotic animals and built parks and gardens. He authored books on philosophy, as well as love poetry, and he entertained global leaders as his guests. So how did he get his start as such a successful king? It started with a prayer. God appeared to Solomon in a dream early in his reign and asked him to request anything he wanted. Solomon made a unique request. He asked for discernment, the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, so that he could lead the people effectively. This request pleased God, so much so that he went on to give Solomon great success, power and wealth, in addition to wisdom. Nicely done, Solomon, you got the right answer! But there is more to this story than just getting the right answer. The dialogue itself is remarkable. After all, God could simply have given Solomon wisdom without talking to him about it. Instead, his open-ended question drew out Solomon’s heart. It gave Solomon the opportunity to acknowledge that God had put him on his father’s throne, and that he needed God’s help to govern well. It allowed him to show that he cared more for the wellbeing of the nation in his charge than for his personal success. The fact that he asked God for the ability to discern between right and wrong showed that Solomon knew that truth and justice existed, they mattered, and they came from God alone. Solomon’s request was an attestation of God’s sovereignty and his character. It was worship. The goal was not to use his one wish to get the best thing possible. The wish was irrelevant. God could grant a thousand wishes for Solomon, or for you, or me. God is what’s relevant. Coming before him matters, not just in what we ask for, but in how we ask. Prayer is an opportunity to acknowledge who God is and how much we need him. God welcomes this kind of dialogue. He invites us into it as he did Solomon

Let’s pray: Dear Lord, you are a great and awesome God, and you are good. Your ways are above our ways, and we want to see your ways prevail in this world. We trust you to meet our needs. We seek your wisdom in our lives, for true wisdom comes from you alone. Amen.

Application: 1. What statements did Solomon make in answer to God’s question before making his request? What did this reflect about Solomon’s relationship with God? 2. Why did Solomon request wisdom? Why did this please the Lord? 3. Do you see prayer as a form of worship? How could this help build your trust in God?

Wednesday, May 13 - Midday [Taylor Larson] 1 Kings 8:27-30 [Solomon prayed] 27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.”

Comments: We are used to thinking of tests of faith occurring in tough times. Think of Daniel in the lions’ den or David facing Goliath. But the Bible shows that God also tests faith in good times. Proverbs 27 tells us that a person is tested by the praise they receive. In Deuteronomy 8, Moses warns the people against forgetting the Lord when they prospered in the promised land, saying, ‘Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God… Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God.’ And we know that the people of Israel did forget the Lord in the promised land. Thankfully, however, we also have examples of faithfulness in times of prosperity, and one of these is the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Lord’s temple. This temple was a masterpiece, the work of thousands of craftsmen over seven years. Solomon brought resources from faraway lands; he used innovative designs; and he adorned the temple with precious metals like gold and bronze. Not only was the building itself impressive, but Solomon’s ability to construct it meant he was a king of immense wealth and power; it meant that he was firmly in control of his kingdom and secure against his enemies. These were the good times. And yet how beautiful is Solomon’s prayer of dedication. He began by acknowledging that his great achievement was completely inadequate to house God’s glory, declaring, ‘The highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this temple I have built!’ Then he turned to an unexpected subject: mercy. He implored the Lord to be merciful to his people when they sought him at the temple. ‘Hear the supplication of your people, and when you hear them, forgive.’ Solomon knew it was only by the Lord’s mercy that his kingdom had prospered and the temple was built. And he knew the purpose of the temple was to keep seeking that mercy. The people would sin, and they would need a place where they could seek forgiveness. His great achievement was not ‘mission accomplished’ but rather ‘mission begun.’

Let’s pray: Dear God, we spend so much effort in life trying to win. We fail plenty, but sometimes you let us succeed. In these times it can be so tempting to set up monuments to our own achievement, but we know this is a mistake. Help us to turn to you in times like this and to remember that the best things we have done are only a reflection of your far- greater glory. Help us to be humbled by your blessing and to understand more deeply our need for your mercy. Amen.

Application: 1. Solomon was richer and more powerful than any king in Israel’s history. What kinds of temptations could this have created for him? How did he combat these? 2. Why did Solomon focus on mercy and forgiveness in his dedication prayer? 3. How do you relate to God with respect to your successes? Can you relate to Solomon’s plea for mercy?

Wednesday, May 13 - Evening [Taylor Larson] Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. 11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Comments: Our final meditation on the life of Solomon takes us to one of the two books of the Bible that he wrote, the book of Ecclesiastes. Earlier we learned that God gave Solomon uncommon wisdom, wealth and power when he was king of Israel. He advanced the kingdom in every way possible, and the people enjoyed prosperity and peace under his rule. The bountiful era over which Solomon ruled gave him occasion to reflect on the meaning of life and work, and he recorded these thoughts in autobiographical form in the book of Ecclesiastes. In today’s passage he relates the story of some of his greatest projects. These included parks and irrigated orchards he built, large herds and flocks of livestock, and treasuries of silver and gold. Solomon really had it all! And not only did he have it all, but he built it all. He was an industrialist, an architect, an author, and a commodity trader, using his creativity and intelligence to multiply his assets. While none of us are quite this successful, we can probably relate to the pleasures of a job well done, an investment that pays off, or a creative project that comes out just right. The joy of building and creating can be so satisfying. Solomon said, ‘My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.’ After all, God is the ultimate creative worker, and our work, at its best, can allow us to be more like him and to share his pleasure. It seems surprising then how Solomon changes his tone at the conclusion: ‘Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind.’ He seems to say that while doing the work was gratifying, the end result did not have lasting meaning. How can this be? I think it is a reminder of how fleeting our lives are on earth, and that this is not our ultimate home. Yes, we can experience joy in what we do, but we cannot build a lasting kingdom on earth because even the earth itself will not last. Seeing this is an opportunity for us, as it was for Solomon, to consider that only the works of the Lord will last. And this is good news for the believer because believers themselves are the handiwork of God. We are his creative work, the clay in his hands. Forming loving hearts and making right relationship are his mission. We can participate in God’s eternal work by seeking to understand what he is doing and by responding to his work in our lives.

Let’s pray: Dear God, you have given us creative minds. We like to build things and see them grow. Help us to understand that the work of our hands, while valuable, will not last forever. Help us recognize your work in this world and your work in us. We want to be part of what you are doing, to participate with you and to not resist you. Help us trust that your designs are good and yield to your work in our lives. Amen.

Application: 1. Why did Solomon conclude that his works were meaningless, a chasing after the wind? 2. What is one of your greatest accomplishments? Can you relate to the joy of doing something excellently or to creating something magnificent? 3. In what ways can you participate in God’s work?

Thursday, May 14 - Morning [Taylor Larson] Hosea 1:1-3 1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel: 2 When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.” 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. Comments: How far would you trust the Lord? How much would you be willing to give up? Perhaps the first things that come to mind in answer to this question are the resources that God asks us to give: our time, money, and effort. But what about giving up your reputation or your honor? What about suffering the unfaithfulness of a loved one? That may be a step too far! But it wasn’t too far for Hosea. At the outset of his work as prophet, God asked him to marry Gomer, a prostitute. He told Hosea this was because ‘the land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord, like an adulterous wife.’ Yes, you heard that right. God wanted Hosea to marry Gomer so he would understand deeply the kind of betrayal he felt from the idolatry of the people of Israel and Judah. For the Lord, their worship of other gods was as personal as breaking a marriage covenant. It hurt him. He wanted Hosea to understand this, not just intellectually, but with his whole being. God’s request was costly for Hosea. In addition to the heartbreak that would come, marrying someone like this would be a major strike against his family honor. It would alienate his relatives and jeopardize his profession. It could make life difficult for his children. Nevertheless, Hosea married Gomer and started a family with her. He trusted that obeying the Lord was the right thing to do despite the cost. While it is hard to imagine the Lord asking any of us to enter into a marriage with a spouse we knew would be unfaithful (in fact, this would go against good advice not to do so), nevertheless, he has asked us to love the unlovely. Love your enemy, he says. Give to the poor. Forgive your brother when he sins against you. Stay faithful to your spouse when they hurt you. Support your difficult child. All relationships can be painful, some very much so. Just as God had a plan of redemption for Hosea – and for Gomer – he has a plan to redeem your difficult relationships as well.

Let’s pray: Dear Lord, we know there is brokenness in our relationships, yet more often than not you ask us to engage in them. This takes trust. It takes belief that you are a redeemer and have a plan to redeem our brokenness. Help us to know our place in Christ, to know that we are loved and secure, so that we can be free to love others. Amen.

Application: 1. Why did God ask Hosea to marry Gomer? 2. What did this marriage mean for him? What did it mean for her? 3. Have you felt called to love a difficult person? What did it cost you? Have you seen the Lord work in this relationship?

Thursday, May 14 - Midday [Taylor Larson] Hosea 1:4-11 4 Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6 Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. 7 Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the LORD their God, will save them.” 8 After she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, Gomer had another son. 9 Then the LORD said, “Call him Lo- Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God. 10 Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ 11 The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.” Comments: Like many of the Old Testament prophets, Hosea brought a message of God’s displeasure with his people. He announced that difficult consequences would come as a result of their disobedience. He even went as far as to tell the people that they were rejected by God. This was a hard message. And to drive the point home, God asked Hosea to give his three children names that symbolized this message. His first son was Jezreel, named for a valley where a prior king of Israel had committed a massacre that the Lord planned to avenge. Then he named his daughter ‘not loved’ and his next son ‘not my people.’ Wow, this seems harsh. These names were definitely not in the baby name book of Hosea’s day. How could he do this to his children? Now the whole family would be reminded of unfaithfulness and rejection. These names would leave a mark on the children. Could good come from this? When his daughter was born, God told Hosea, ‘I will no longer show love to Israel.’ But after the birth of his next child, there was a different message: ‘Yet the Israelites will be like sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ God’s intention was to change Israel’s name. Where they had been covered in shame, he would honor them. Where they had been unloved, he would love them. Where they had lost their identity as God’s people, he would again be their father. While we don’t know what happened to Hosea’s children, in light of God’s name change for Israel, it is possible to imagine that they too took on new names. Whatever the case, it is clear that Hosea had hope for them. He did not name them as a curse but in anticipation of a blessing. He knew the Lord was a redeemer, a name-changer. He was able to trust God’s good intentions even while delivering a tough message.

Let’s pray: Dear Lord, you are a name-changer, and we need our names to be changed. We have been unloved; we have felt rejection. Some of this is deserved. Like Israel, we are unfaithful, and we need your discipline. But we know that you are good, and you are a redeemer. You have called us beloved. In Christ we are accepted by you and made whole. Help us to see your good intentions and your power to make us your children. Amen.

Application: 1. Why did Hosea name his children this way? 2. What does Israel’s name change tell us about the Lord? 3. Is there part of your identity that you would like to change? What new name could the Lord be giving you?

Thursday, May 14 - Evening [Taylor Larson] Hosea 3:1-3 2 The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. 3 Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.” Comments The prophet Hosea was married to Gomer. She was an unexpected life partner. She was a promiscuous woman when he married her, and eventually she went back to her old life as a prostitute. By the time God’s word came to Hosea, Gomer had gotten herself into debt and was not free to return to him even if she wanted to. The wife and mother had become a slave, the property of another man. This is a sad story for the whole family, but no one more than Gomer. What must it have been like? I cannot help but think of the many people today who are victims of human trafficking and the sex industry, all of whom suffer terribly, and many of whom have done nothing wrong. In Gomer’s case, it seems she took up this lifestyle by her own choice at first. She was not innocent. But soon the situation took a turn beyond her control. At the hands of an abuser too strong for her, she was trapped and taken advantage of. Her situation is reminiscent of the prodigal son. He too rejected his family for a wayward lifestyle and ended up destitute and stuck. Though terrifying, both these stories symbolize the consequences of sin in every person’s life. The desire to wander off from a loving God is inexplicable, but it draws us away. Those things that seem enticing at first become a snare and a cruel master. We find ourselves like Gomer, undeserving at the beginning and even less deserving by the end, totally helpless. And yet, Gomer was not forgotten or unloved, and neither are we. God told Hosea to love his wife again, as the Lord loved his people. Hosea knew what this meant. He bought her back from her bondage. It should have been enough that he was her husband, but it seems that she was so far gone that another man had made a claim for her. Nevertheless, Hosea knew the Lord was a redeemer. Like him, Hosea would pay what he should not have to; there was no price too great.

Let’s pray: Dear God, like Gomer, we have chosen our own way in the world and gotten stuck. Sin is a cruel master. We thank you for redeeming us in your kindness. You work all things for good, and there is no God like you. And Lord, when the tables are turned and we are in the position to extend grace, please give us a heart like Hosea’s. Help us to remember that you are a redeemer, and it is our joy to show your love to those who need it most. Amen.

Application: 1. Why did God tell Hosea to love his wife Gomer again? What does it mean that he told him to love her like God loved the Israelites? 2. What could Gomer have been feeling and thinking during this part of her life? How might she have learned about God’s love in this difficult time? 3. Are there any areas in your life where you have the opportunity to extend grace and forgiveness? What might the Lord be asking you to do?

Friday, May 15 - Morning 2 Kings 18:1-7 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. 3 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. 4 He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.) 5 Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 6 He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. 7 And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.

Comments: Today, we will look at the life of King Hezekiah, the one in the line of David that served and ruled over the land of Judah. Hezekiah came to rule during dark days for the people of God. During his reign, the northern kingdom was defeated, and land was taken by the Assyrians. It looked like Judah would be next. Hezekiah was not like the evil kings of the north. He walked with God much as King David had over 250 years before. His first order of business after ascending to the throne was to begin a spiritual revival. Shrines erected for the worship of pagan deities were throughout the land, and even in Jerusalem, the holy city. Hezekiah removed them, and then he led the nation to return to the Lord in worship. Why did he do this? We are told that he trusted the Lord and that there was no king like him. What made him different? It began with a wholehearted devotion to God. The prophet Isaiah urged his predecessor, a king named Ahaz, to trust the Lord and to not build alliances with the surrounding countries. But Ahaz wouldn’t listen. He felt that, to survive, he needed to enter into league with the strong nations of the region, especially with the Assyrians. All of this changed when Hezekiah took the throne. Hezekiah looked to the Lord alone. Though Judah was weak and under resourced, Hezekiah refused to sell out to the Assyrians. Here is a living faith in the Lord.

Let’s pray: Lord, it can be tempting to trust other things to provide for me and take care of me. But I know that you alone can secure my future. Help me to walk by faith in the everyday decisions of my life. I want to honor you in all things. For I pray in your name. Amen.

Application: 1. What did Hezekiah do when he became king? How does this demonstrate a deep faith in the Lord? 2. Hezekiah was not willing to compromise his trust in the Lord to make alliances with other nations. Why was this important to him? Where does his decision correspond to us and our lives? What sort of compromises do we need to watch out for and avoid? 3. Hezekiah removed the foreign gods from the land. What idols want to have a place in your life? How can you root them out?

Friday, May 15 - Midday 2 Kings 19:16-19 Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. 17 “It is true, LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. 19 Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, LORD, are God.”

Comments: The situation looked hopeless. When Hezekiah refused to become an ally of Assyria, the king of Assyria, the most powerful nation in that part of the world, marched against him. Judah had few resources or fighting men and was little more than a gnat to the Assyrian army. Indeed, Assyria had gobbled up each of the surrounding nations. Judah was next. To make matters worse, Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, sent messengers to deliver news of the coming destruction and to threaten Hezekiah and the people. As the people became afraid, even more pressure was applied to Hezekiah to give up. But to Hezekiah the words of ridicule were words spoken against the Lord, not only against him. We want to count our resources and measure our chances of success. Hezekiah did none of that. Rather than surrendering, Hezekiah fell on his face before the Lord. He brought his trouble and the entire situation before the living God. It was a frightening time, but Hezekiah placed his trust in the Lord. And, yes, the Lord delivered his people, defeating the massive Assyrian army. The Lord fought for them. He was faithful.

Let’s pray: Almighty God, I feel like I am always measuring and counting, planning and calculating. Help me to see my need to trust in you. I know that even if I succeed, if I do it apart from you, there is no success. Enable me to trust in you and your mighty power. Provide me with wisdom as I make decisions each day, that I might look to you for all things. In your loving name, I pray. Amen.

Application: 1. Hezekiah’s actions might look foolish to us. Why were they not? How could he know this? 2. At what times do you find it most difficult to trust God? When you feel like you have things figured out, do you find yourself less likely to pray? Why is it important to seek the Lord in all things? 3. Where in your life do you need faith like that of Hezekiah? How can you use this moment/situation to strengthen your faith in God?

Friday, May 15 - Evening 2 Kings 20:1-6 In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” 2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, 3 “Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: 5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the LORD. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’”

Comments: Do you believe God heals? Do you often pray for healing for yourself or others? We pick up the story of Hezekiah at a point in his life when he becomes very sick, so sick that his death is imminent. At the time, Hezekiah was a young man, still in his 30s. Imagine establishing the kingdom, and seeing a mighty deliverance of God, and then having your own life drain away. Hezekiah prayed for the nation. Would he pray for himself? Would God answer? For some reason, we believe that if we walk with God these moments will never come. But that is not true. Deep brokenness, sickness and death touch everyone. Hezekiah was not exempt. But he could pray and he did. He pled his case. He had walked with God in wholehearted devotion. He had been a faithful man. The Lord heard his prayer, but he did not give the answer to Hezekiah. The Lord gave the answer to Isaiah the prophet. God granted Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life. But, the Lord did something more important than that. He promised to make secure the people, the city, and the nation, to remove a far greater threat than Hezekiah’s poor health. This was the reason for Hezekiah’s prayer. He wanted to live in order to secure the future of the kingdom. The Lord knows the needs and desires behind our prayers, what you might call the prayer behind the prayer. In our prayers, we need to trust him to do what is best and to provide what will be for our good and his glory.

Let’s pray: My gracious heavenly Father, there are so many prayers I have, I don’t know where to begin. I rejoice that you know all things, and that you see the longing of my heart. I trust you to answer as you deem best. I look to you by faith, trusting in your ways. For in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Application: 1. What did Hezekiah ask God for in his prayer? What was the prayer behind the prayer? 2. Why do you think the Lord relayed the answer to Hezekiah through his prophet Isaiah? What was the significance in doing that? 3. What is the prayer behind your prayers? How can you trust God to hear you and to answer? 4. What is your most constant prayer? How has God answered it thus far? Saturday, May 16 - Morning

Saturdays, we set aside time to focus even more deeply on prayer. Please add these prayers to your own for this day.

Let’s pray: Lord, it feels like my heart is allergic to prayer. I quickly move to action, to do what I can do. But I find it difficult to pray. Prompt me by your Holy Spirit to bring all things to you. Today, Lord, I bring the prayer behind my prayers. I pray for your kingdom to come. I pray for your peace and your presence. Reveal yourself to me for I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Saturday, May 16 - Midday

Let’s pray: Lord God, this midday I pray for others, for people I know and love, for my family members and for friends. Lord, I admit that I assume I know what is best and right for them. As I pray today, I admit that I often get that wrong. Today, I simply bring them to you. I ask for you to extend your loving-kindness to them, to make yourself present to them, and to pour your love into their lives. And I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Saturday, May 16 - Evening

Let’s pray: Faithful Father, this evening I pray for our world. Many are living in fear. Lead them by your grace to peace. Many are hurting and desperate. Provide for them your loving presence to guide them through this time. I pray for those in authority and leadership, in business and government. Lord, I believe you placed them there. I ask that you provide them the wisdom they need to lead during this crucial time. Lord, provide us each with an extra measure of your grace that we might work together to protect the weak, provide for those in need, and care for everyone. I pray in the name of my savior Jesus. Amen.

SUNDAY, May 10 Remember to connect with the Granada family for online worship today. You can find Granada’s service live at 9:30 and/or 11:11am:

1. granada.online.church 2. YouTube 3. Facebook