Daily Readings - Fri Jul 13 2018
Hosea
1O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.2Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.3Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.5I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.7They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.8Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Matthew
16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.23But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Sermon
In today's readings, Hosea and Matthew present powerful messages about trust and perseverance in the face of adversity. Hosea, speaking to a divided and sinful Israel, calls for repentance and a return to the Lord, promising restoration and growth through God's mercy. The passage uses vivid natural imagery, such as dew and lilies, to illustrate the potential for renewal. Hosea emphasizes that wisdom lies in understanding and following God's straight paths.
In Matthew, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face, warning them of persecution and betrayal. He assures them that the Holy Spirit will guide their words during trials, urging them to persevere. The passage underscores the importance of faith and trust in God, even when facing hardship, and advises seeking refuge in other communities when necessary, with the promise that their mission will be completed before the Son of Man returns.
These readings remind us that, like the disciples and the Israelites, we may face struggles in our lives. However, we are called to trust in God's providence and remain faithful. In our daily lives, whether dealing with personal challenges or broader societal issues, we can draw strength from the assurance that God's Spirit guides us. Let us embrace perseverance and trust, knowing that our efforts to follow God's path will ultimately lead to salvation and restoration.