I am reading through the book of Hosea right now in my quiet times with the Lord. It is a fantastic book with so many parallels to our culture today.
Hosea was one of God’s last messengers to the northern kingdom of Israel to warn them of the upcoming punishment of God that would be doled out by the nation of Assyria. The people of Israel were at a time of peace, comfort, and relative prosperity. This condition made them lax in their relationship with God so gradually the began to worship idols and the created things of life rather than the Creator.
God told Hosea to marry a prostitute that would continue in her ways even after her marriage to show Israel that He still wanted to redeem them even after their spiritual adultery.
But one thing is central to this book that is brought up in every study written about it. It is the idea that “God loves His people so much, He will allow no rivals!”.
Today take a few minutes like I was prompted to by the Holy Spirit and ask yourself, “Are there any rivals to the importance and preeminnce of my relationship with God?”. As I listened here were a few of my rivals the Lord revealed to me that needed to be surrendered…my wife, kids, church, even tv. What rivals do you hve today? Surrender them and thank God for His love that is so encompassing it won’t allow any rivals!
