RE Verse reading–Amos 1:1-11, 2:16-23, 3:1-5 (day four) “The word of the Lord that came to Hosea. . . during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah” (1:1) Hosea is a reminder to us. The work of God often takes years. Like a patient artist, the Great God shapes the human soul. He does not rush. We can measure it historically. From Uzziah to Hezekiah was nearly 100 years. Even if Hosea’s ministry only briefly overlapped the first and the last, it was over 40 years long. We can measure it emotionally. One year of a bad marriage is painful. 40 years can hardly be described. Even so, Hosea was faithful. Like the God he served, he became “long-suffering”, (Philippians 1:29) conquering every hurdle and heartbreak with an eternal love. I remember the words of Christ to Paul. “I will show him how much he must suffer for my sake” (Acts 9:16). Not what we imagine. The way home is sometimes long. May the Lord make us faithful.
