To rightly understand and delight in the gospel, we must rightly understand and delight in God's wrath. Does that seem strange to you? God's perfect displeasure at sin -- any sin -- is revealed in His wrath. We create a god of our own making when we imagine our infinitely holy Creator to be without just wrath for sin. Ancient Israel was full of such idolatry; God's people mistook His patience with their sin for His indifference. So, prophets like Hosea were sent with blunt, often startling warnings of God's wrath toward sinful people, and His merciful remedy.
"... They were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore they forgot Me. So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk; I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs..." (Hosea 13:6-8 - NKJV)
This Sunday, we'll return to our study of Hosea's prophecy and see how God's holiness demands that He oppose everything that is polluted. God is determined to be the enemy of sin in His world and in His people until all sin is fully vanquished. This determination is gloriously displayed at the cross of Jesus, where God's just wrath and covenant love for His people meet. I hope to see you here this Sunday as we continue our study, "God's Loyal Love."
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Steve Massey is the pastor of Hayden Bible Church of Hayden, Idaho. He also writes about matters of faith for The Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Wash., where he previously worked as an editor and reporter. He and his wife, Pam, have two grown children, Jake and Sarah.
