Daily Devotional for Saturday, July 11

The Wickedness of Samaria

“When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without. And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face,” Hosea 7:1, 2.
Have you ever seen or known a person that was on a path of destruction in their life? It is hard to watch a person make all the wrong decisions that are tearing them down and destroying the relationships of those around them. Everyone around that person can see what is happening but they seem to be in denial of their personal destruction. Whether it is drugs, alcohol, lying, stealing, infidelity, or anything that is tearing up their life and relationships, there needs to be an intervention in their life for them to see what their behavior is doing to them and those around them.
God has always wanted to heal and forgive Israel of its sins, but just about the time that He is ready to heal, there comes more sin and wickedness (Hosea 7:1). God pointed out how Samaria had been exposed for its adulteries and had devoured and corrupted its rulers with alcohol and lies (Hosea 7:2-7). Even with all that they did, God still wanted to forgive. But what would be holding back God’s forgiveness; “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). Some may think that Israel, and all its parts, have done too much that they cannot be forgiven and restored, but that is not true.

REFLECTION
Do you feel as though you have done too much to be forgiven by the Lord and those around you? The Lord knows all that you have done and is ready to forgive.

Tim Chambers