THREE WORDS (Everyone Needs to Hear)
Each week in August we will focus on “three words” that everyone needs to hear (and learn to say). I Love You, I Am Sorry, I Forgive You, You Belong Here. If we can learn these short statements and add them to our vocabulary we might just find our lives are more peaceful and fruitful.
August 4 (Holy Communion)
Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11
Title: “I Love You”
Theme: The prophet Hosea reminds God’s people that God has loved us from our childhood, and that no matter what we do: God still loves us. Everyone longs to hear the words: I Love You. And while we need to hear that from each other, we desperately need to know that God loves us and there’s nothing we can do to change that
Hosea 11:1-11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
God’s Compassion Despite Israel’s Ingratitude
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more I[a] called them,
the more they went from me;[b]
they kept sacrificing to the Baals,
and offering incense to idols.
I took them up in my[c] arms;
but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with bands of love.
I was to them like those
who lift infants to their cheeks.[d]
I bent down to them and fed them.
and Assyria shall be their king,
because they have refused to return to me.
6 The sword rages in their cities,
it consumes their oracle-priests,
and devours because of their schemes.
7 My people are bent on turning away from me.
To the Most High they call,
but he does not raise them up at all.[e]
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my fierce anger;
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and no mortal,
the Holy One in your midst,
and I will not come in wrath.[f]
who roars like a lion;
when he roars,
his children shall come trembling from the west.
11 They shall come trembling like birds from Egypt,
and like doves from the land of Assyria;
and I will return them to their homes, says the Lord.
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