Fresh Start Daily

Devo: Zephaniah 2

Chapter 2 verses 1 to 3 focus on God’s call of repentance to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. It says that people should repent before it’s too late. God loves us so much that He even gives us a warning through His prophets so we won’t perish.

“How easy it is to let the days pass like chaff, and never get right with God! Often the devil’s most powerful lie isn’t that there is no God, or no Bible, or no truth – often his most powerful lie is that there is no hurry. Nevertheless, today is the day of salvation.” enduringword.com

Life is short. It is true that Satan deceives us by thinking that we have more time but tomorrow is not guaranteed. Later is not even guaranteed. We have to get right with God NOW, not later, not tomorrow.

Eternity starts here on earth while we are still alive. How we live our life here on earth determines where we will spend our eternity. Will we spend our forever in heaven or in hell?

Many people say they will get right with God when they have tried everything on earth because “YOLO”. Some say they will get right with God when they’re already old. They’re too cool to follow Jesus now or ever. It’s sad that evil is regarded as cool and good as uncool. Following Jesus is actually cool! I don’t feel pressured to fit in. I am free from people’s judgments because I know that God’s opinion of me matters more than anyone. I don’t need to fit in and it feels so freeing.

Knowing that there is a God in heaven who considers me as His child and loves me and knows my true value is so freeing. I don’t have to impress people who don’t even like me. But then again, we don’t know how long we have left on earth to live.

“Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth…” v. 3

This is a call to everyone–righteous and unrighteous. We may be believers of Jesus but have gone cold in our relationship with Him. This stood out to me because us believers have the tendency to lax because we know that we are already saved.

It says in the Bible that we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). That he who endures till the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).

Believers have to endure till the end. There are a lot of temptations and trials around us and we have to endure. We all have to seek the Lord. We have to seek the LORD everyday.

“It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’s anger.” v. 3

“In more than one place, God promises to hide His righteous in the day of great judgment. This is especially relevant to the time of the Great Tribulation, when Jesus warned us to Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36)” enduringword.com

Wow. The LORD will hide the righteous in the Great Tribulation. One of our pastors in church said that if we are going to do bad things, we should do it to the full so we won’t have regrets. If we are going to follow God, we should follow Him fully.

It’s funny but it makes sense because God doesn’t want lukewarm believers. He said in His Word that He will spit out of His mouth those that are lukewarm. That is a scary thought!

Delayed obedience is disobedience. When God says repent, He is not suggesting that we should. He is commanding us to repent.

Have you ever wondered why God pardons our iniquities despite their utmost gravity when we repent from them? I have. I couldn’t get my finite mind to understand God’s infinite well of mercy. However, it says in Micah 7:18 that the LORD delights in mercy.

“Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19

God actually delights in mercy. Wow. We can never say God is merciless. If people do not experience His mercy and forgiveness, it’s because they reject it. God is merciful but we should never forget that God is also just. There’s no sense in giving us the law (God’s law) if there is no consequence when we violate it. Those who refuse God’s mercy will see His justice.

What Charles Spurgeon said about us not feeling/experiencing God’s mercy is beautiful:

“Whatever despair may whisper or doubt may suggest, one text of Scripture is worth fifty fears and doubts, or fifty thousand either.… All objections to the delight of God in mercy are but illusions of your brain, or delusions of your heart.”

The enemy likes to plant seeds of doubt in our mind and heart. However, I am reminded to doubt my doubts. I am reminded to trust God and not my feelings. The enemy’s purpose is to destroy us so we won’t have victory in Christ.

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10

God promises us the opposite:

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

“You will cast our sins into the depths of the sea.” V. 19

Wow. He will not only forgive us but He will also forget our sins. Casting our sins into the depths of the sea means throwing our sins into the deepest part of the sea where it cannot be retrieved.

“God will not hold on to our sin but forgive us instead. This means there is no probation with God’s forgiveness. He doesn’t forgive our sins just to hold onto them and hang them over our heads. In His compassion, He does away with our sins, casting them into the depths of the sea – and then He puts a ‘No Fishing’ sign there!” enduringword.com

This reminds me of this verse, too:

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

When we repent from our sins and receive God’s forgiveness, we must get up and keep walking towards our heavenly goal. We must press on and focus our eyes on Jesus Christ who will lead and guide us.

Father God, help us to believe that we are completely forgiven and that we can move forward with You. Thank You for the assurance of Your mercy and forgiveness.

Panginoon, kahit anong ningning ng mundong ito, sa Iyo ako.
Kahit anong ganda ng mga tanawin, alam ko ang katapusan nito.
Hindi ako mahuhumaling sa anuman dito sa mundo.
Namamangha ako sa gawa ng kamay Mo,
Pero handa akong lisanin ito para sa Iyo.
Ang naghihintay sa akin sa langit sa piling Mo,
Ay kapayapaan na perpekto.
Wala nang luha, sakit, o pasakit rito.

Devo: Hosea 3

When I first read this chapter, I couldn’t quite comprehend why God commanded Hosea to return to his unfaithful wife, Gomer. Why would God tell Hosea to “love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery”?

But then it also says in verse 1 that it’s just like the love of God for the Israelites who worship other gods. Then it made sense to me. If God would “divorce” us or disown us when our hearts lean away from Him and to idols, what a waste we will be. Thank God for His grace and mercy.

I also learned that God will never go against His Word. God hates divorce. If God commanded Hosea to divorce his wife because of adultery, He we would oppose Himself.

It also shows that love is a decision and not just a romantic feeling that ebbs and flows. Marriage is a commitment and must be worked out daily. I may not have the right to talk about marriage because I have not been married long enough, but when God says He hates divorce, I believe He means it, and we are to honor His Word.

I like what I read from enduringword.com about this chapter:

“This also shows us an important principle about love: Hosea is directed to love, even when it must have been hard to love. We are filled with many romantic illusions about love, and one of these illusions is that love has very little to do with our will – we are just ‘captured’ by love and follow whatever course it leads. But in principle, the Scriptures show us another way: That love is largely a matter of the will, and when we direct ourselves to love someone God tells us we must love, it can and will happen. This is why ‘We’re not in love anymore’ isn’t valid grounds for a bad relationship or divorce. It assumes that love is something beyond or outside of our will.” – enduringword.com

This chapter represents God’s relationship with us. God continues to love us despite our unfaithfulness. Nowadays, a slight offense leads us to cutting the relationship. The term “cancel culture” has become the trend. Just one mistake and we’re done. There is no more forgiveness and second chance. But God is not like that to us, thankfully. Where will we be without God? Without the Lord, I’m done. I need Him in my life. I need Him every second of my life.

I also wanted to know what Homer meant by saying “So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley.” I didn’t understand why he had to buy his wife because she was his wife!

“But as a display of love and commitment, he went the ‘extra mile,’ beyond what was expected or even reasonable. In providing this way for his own wife, Hosea also showed her: “I can give you what the others can. You don’t need them. Let me show you how I can provide for your needs.” – enduringword.com

That is so sweet. 😭🫠 Who wouldn’t love someone like that? If I were Gomer, I would be ashamed of my sins. I don’t deserve that kind of love. However, I would also be grateful. Gomer did nothing but hurt her husband and yet, he was still willing to go the extra mile to restore their relationship.

The purpose was not just to buy her but to have a relationship with her. It’s similar to what Jesus did on the cross. He bought us to take our sins away by paying it with His blood. His blood was the payment!

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption–that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.'” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us–a sphere which especially includes you.” 2 Corinthians 10:12-13

“But ‘he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.’ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10:17

I was led to these verses yesterday and today. I have read these verses countless times before but this season has taught me how much God hates pride. He won’t let anyone glory in himself/herself because only He deserves it. God is a jealous God in its holiest sense of the word. He won’t share His glory with anyone else.

I remember the story of King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel. He gloried in his own power. He did not give any credit to God. In an instant, he turned into a beast and ate grass like oxen. But when he humbled himself before God and acknowledged God’s power and majesty, he returned to his normal state.

As human beings who are prone to forget, we need this message as a constant reminder to give credit to whom credit is due. I think it relieves us of the burden of maintaining a reputation of always being good, smart, and strong. It’s impossible for us to do because as imperfect being that we are, there’s a limit to our goodness, intelligence, and strength.

Like Paul in the book of Corinthians, I will also only boast in my infirmities. For the past couple of weeks, I have been realizing how weak I am and how much I need God for strength. God has been showing me I need to cling to Him for strength and confidence. It’s not because He is a power-tripping God but because our nature is weak. Our strength is limited. It is He who supplies us with the things we lack.

I can’t do life without God. The older I get, the more I realize how much I need Him. I don’t boast in anything. I have nothing to boast before the Lord. There is no good thing I have that I did not receive from Him. I only boast in Jesus Christ who gives me strength.

“If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.” 2 Corinthians 11:30

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.” 2 Corinthians 12:6

Devo: Hosea 2:15-23

The book of Hosea is packed! I’m only in chapter 2 but boy! There is so much to digest.

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her.”

God said in verse 14 that He would allure her (referring to Israel). Merriam-Webster defines “allure” (verb) as “to entice by charm or attraction”.

The Israelites were unfaithful to God and yet, God had mercy on them. He didn’t force them to return to Him. Instead, He gently led them to Him. He “allured” them and not “forced” them.

“And it shall be, in that day,” says the LORD, “That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Master,’ for I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals, and they shall be remembered by their name no more.” v. 16

In verse 2, God said, “…for she is not My wife, nor am I her Husband!” But in verse 16, He said, “That you will call Me, ‘My Husband'”.

God wanted to restore the broken relationship with the Israelites. The terms “wife” and “husband” show an intimate relationship and God used those terms to emphasize that He wants us to have an intimate relationship with Him. He wants us to be fully committed to Him.

He used the term “allure” because He doesn’t want us to be in a relationship with Him out of fear but out of love. He doesn’t want us to obey Him out of fear of the consequences of sin but out of deep love for Him. He doesn’t want us to be His slaves. God wants obedience based on love. He wants us to enjoy our relationship with Him.

“God was not satisfied with a fear-based, obedience-focused relationship with His people where they thought of Him primarily as Master. He wanted a relationship where they thought of Him primarily as Husband.” enduringword.com

“‘It shall come to pass in that day that I will answer,’ says the LORD…” v. 21

“This is great blessing of real, vibrant relationship with God. Our hearts beat in rhythm to His, and so we want what He wants. So when we ask God to do things, we already ask what He wants to do – so He will answer.” enduringword.com

When we surrender to God, our dreams become intertwined with HIS dreams. He answers our desires because those are His desires, too. God answers our prayers according to His will.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7

“The earth shall answer with grain, with new wine, and with oil…” V. 22

If our hearts are right with God, He provides aplenty.

2nd child – “Lo-Ruhamah” – It means “No mercy”

3rd child – “Lo-Ammi” – It means “Not My people”

Their names that are marks of judgment were restored.

“I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy…”

“Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!'”

“And they shall say, ‘You are my God!'” V. 23

This shows complete restoration. Wow. God is merciful and loving.

Devo: Hosea 2:2-13

Grabe ang pagmamahal ng Panginoon sa mga Israelita. Kahit na idolatrous sila, kahit na they went and worshipped other gods, the Lord still provided for them. Even if we are unfaithful, God remains faithful.

“God gives to man the trees of the forest and the iron in the ground. He gives man the brains to make an axe and nails from the iron, and the energy to cut down the tree, the skill to fashion the wood into beams. God gives man the cleverness to make a handle from the wood, and head from the iron, and combine it into an effective hammer. Then man takes the beams, the nails, and the hammer and he nails God to the cross – where God willingly stretched out His arms, dying on the cross to take the guilt and penalty man’s sin deserved – and to make a new, restored relationship between God and man possible.” — enduringword.com

I like verses 6-7:

“Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, and wall her in. So she cannot find her paths. She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them; yes, she will seek them, but not find them.”

The definition of “hedge” according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “a fence or boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees”.

The hedge serves as a barrier–as a form of protection. Here in the Philippines, houses have gates. It shows people that somebody owns the house and they cannot go inside the gates. God’s children are like gated houses. We are God’s property and He serves as our protection. We are safe because He surrounds us.

“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” Psalm 125:1-2

I like the explanation given on enduringword.com:

“To bring Israel to repentance, God promised to set a hedge of thorns on the sides of her path, so that it would hurt whenever Israel went off the correct path, and so the wrong paths would be hard to find. When God hedges our way with thorns, we usually don’t like it. We sometimes think God is against us when the thorns hurt and we can’t find the wrong paths. But it is really one of the sweetest expressions of God’s love to hedge up your way with thorns and to wall us in.”

God was good to the Israelites even when they forgot Him. He still protected them. God still provided for the Israelites despite their sin of idolatry. It must be painful for God to see the Israelites offer to Baal what He gave to them. It was an insult to God and yet, He still loved them. The people went after other gods but He still loved them.

“Then she will say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now.’ For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold–which they prepared for Baal. Therefore I will return and take away My grain in its time and My new wine in its season, and will take back My wool and My linen, given to cover her nakedness.” VV. 7-9

“This principle shows how offensive idolatry really is to God. Whenever we give to an idol, we have received from God.” enduringword.com

There is nothing we have that we did not receive from the Lord. We have nothing to boast before the Lord.

Do we all not have the tendency to commit the sin the Israelites did?

“When the passing pleasures of sin are finished, we often then see how good it was to follow the LORD. In a marriage sometimes the grass can seem greener even with the best spouse; in our walk with the LORD our idols seem attractive until God exposes them. Then we are ready to return to our first husband, the LORD.” enduringword.com

This brings tears to my eyes. I know that God is loving, but sometimes I don’t understand how deep God’s love for us is. He is always ready to take us back despite the pain we cause/d Him. We tend to stray from the Lord and return to Him when we realize it’s better in His presence than the fleeting pleasures of the world.

He provides for us and we use the things He gives to hurt Him… And He loves us still… 😭😭😭 We don’t deserve anything from God. He is so merciful and kind and gracious and compassionate. When I pray, I always ask God to keep me and my loved ones in the hedges of His protection. I pray that He won’t let any of us go outside His will. I want to stay under His protection. I want to be covered by the Lord.

Father God, give me a heart that does not offer Your gifts to idols. Help me never to be an adulterous wife to You. Hedge up my way with thorns, and wall me in. I want and need Your protection, Lord. Without Your guidance, I will most likely stray from You. I will most likely lose my way. Help me to always put You first. Help me to never forget You. I don’t want to forget You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.