In the book of Hosea, God spoke to a rebellious time in Israel's history. All sorts of sins were common. In particular, the worship of false gods was everywhere. This idolatry was deeply offensive to God.

In spite of the godlessness of Hosea's day, God could not help himself. He could not help but love his people! Admah and Zeboiim were cities near Gomorrah - which God destroyed in Genesis 19. But God's compassion was aroused; his heart was changed; he did not want to do the same to the people of Hosea's day.

This is who God is! In spite of our failures and sins, his heart is filled with compassion for us. You know the reasons that God should be angry with you and make you miserable - now and for eternity. Instead, he sent you a Savior who took away your sins. Instead of anger, you know God's love and forgiveness.

Nothing fills the heart with more joy and hope than to know God's compassion. Nothing compels us to trust God more than the confidence that he is filled with compassion. Nothing inspires a greater desire to live in ways that are pleasing to God than to know he is filled with compassion.

God will not give up on you! Trust in his compassion for you. Look to Jesus who has taken away your sins and know that God is on your side!

Hosea 11:8 (NIV) "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused."

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling