God's Grace To His People
Hosea 2:23 says, “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.”
God’s love for us is “everlasting” (Jer 31:3), because He “is love” (1 Jn 4:8). He deeply expressed His great love “in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us“ (Rom 5:8)! The Jews had been the special recipients of God’s blessings (Ex 19:5). He had set His heart upon them (Rom 9:4), and He took all the necessary steps to bring them to Himself (Lk 2:32). Even though they were deemed as outcasts and strangers, He called them as His people; “and they shall say, Thou art my God.” However, just because they have been given these privileges, it did not guarantee that they would all be saved.
But the Lord promised that His word “shall not return unto Me void” (Isa 55:11). When Israel committed the sins of idolatry and rebellion against God (Eze 20:8), on numerous occasions, He withdrew His favor upon them until they “acknowledge their offence, and seek His face” (Hos 5:15). God will also distance Himself from us if we sin against Him (Prov 15:29); and He will not hear our prayers (Ps 66:18). He brings afflictions to get our attention (Gen 50:20), so we can repent; “for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Joel 2:13).
We must humble ourselves (Jms 4:6), and admit our offence because “the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Per 3:12). Paul quoted our passage in Rom 9:25 to remind us that if it were not for God’s amazing grace (Eph 2:8), there would be no salvation! Sadly, lost sinners end up in hell (Lk 16:23), because of their own choice (Jn 3:19). Whether a person is a Jew or Gentile (1 Cor 12:13), the only hope of salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone! God bless you!
-Pastor Melito Barrera
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