Young Adults' Group

God’s Devoted Love As Father

by Pastor Mark
June 13, 2024

The love of our heavenly Father

I wish all fathers a Blessed and Happy Father’s Day! As we remember all fathers this Sunday, we cannot but appreciate the great love of our heavenly Father. We should never take His love for granted. There is no greater love for us to understand than of the love of our heavenly Father. His love for us continues no matter who we are or what we have done.

Our response to God’s love should be one of love and devotion. But not many seek to love the Lord as they should. This was a problem for the people of Israel. Despite God’s love for them, they often strayed from Him. Through the Prophet Hosea, the Lord sought to remind Israel by describing His love for them beautifully.

Remembering the Father’s love

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” (Hosea 11:1)

1. The Lord recalled His loving relationship with Israel when it was still a child.
2. From the days of Abraham to when Israel became a small nation, God manifested His love to them:
   1. He delivered them.
   2. He protected them.
   3. He provided for them.
   4. His presence was there with them.
3. Israel was considered God’s son and He related as a loving Father to them.
4. God lovingly called Israel out of Egypt and delivered them from their captivity.

Beautiful expressions of the Father’s love

“I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.” (Hosea 11:3,4)

1. God taught Israel how to walk
   1. “Ephraim” was used to represent Israel.
   2. The Lord taught Israel in its earlier years…how to walk as a toddler.
2. God held them by their arms
   1. A father would usually hold the arms of his child to teach him to walk.
   2. This was how God lovingly supported Israel in their early development.
3. God healed Israel
   1. There were many sicknesses…sins in Israel.
   2. God sought to heal them of these sicknesses.
   3. But Israel did not know that God was involved in their healing.
4. God drew them with gentle cords and bands of love
   1. The Lord showed such love and tenderness to Israel.
   2. But it was a love that they took for granted.
5. God sought to care for Israel
   1. At the end of the day, a master would remove the yoke to the delight and relief of the animal.
   2. He would lovingly provide both shelter and food for the animal.
   3. This is such a beautiful and moving picture of God’s love for Israel.
6. Unfortunately, Israel did not appreciate God’s love but turned away from Him to idols (Hosea 11:2).

God continues to express His great love to us as His people. Let us appreciate our Father’s moving love by not taking it for granted but by loving Him with all our heart, mind and spirit.

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