The Heart Exposes True and False Worship
Hosea 8-14
“Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning! Even though I gave them all My laws, they act as if those laws don’t apply to them.” Hosea 8:11-12 NLT Oh, the harsh twist of reality! The attitude of the heart will always expose whether our worship is sincere.
“They spout empty words and make covenants they don’t intend to keep. So injustice springs up among them like poisonous weeds in a farmer’s field.” Hosea 10:4 NLT Lying lips bring about injustice. Having experienced this firsthand, I can attest to the havoc this collateral damage can bring to one’s life. Consequences can be severe, even when they’re not ones you brought on yourself.
“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” Hosea 10:12 NLT “I have been the Lord your God ever since I brought you out of Egypt. You must acknowledge no God but Me, for there is no other savior.” Hosea 13:4 NLT
“Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.” Hosea 14:9 NLT
