Prayer: Heavenly Father, our Creator. You have not forsaken your children and creation, not even the sparrows. May we see your love for Israel and your children throughout the stories you have given to us in your word. Thank you for your compassion and love even when we turn from you. May we always turn back. In your holy name we pray, Amen.
Reading: Hosea 11:1-11 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: When I looked up these verses the heading in my Bible said, “God’s Love for Israel” and we as children of God under the new covenant, are the new Israel. That is why I titled this devotion “God’s Love for You.” I want you to read this passage again and apply it to you. Towards the end of the passage it talks about how despite the sinful nature of God’s people, Israel, God will not let his anger rule. God’s compassion rules in his heart and when the children come out from their sin, trembling like sparrows, God will settle them in their homes. Again and again, God will show compassion to the sparrows, to his children. The imagery of the birds used here is a way to remind yourself of God’s love for you when you see how even the sparrows are provided for. The use of sparrows in this passage also reminded me of one of my favorite Jason Gray songs that says, “Not a field or flower escapes His notice. Oh even the sparrow knows He holds tomorrow.” Sparrows by Jason Gray - https://youtu.be/wRJZQFRyZ6s --Anne Harshbarger
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