Day 79: Look!

Hosea 6:1-9:17

3 John 1:1-14

Psalm 126:1-6

Proverbs 29:12-14

I'm going to be honest, most of Hosea is going right over my head. I'm getting a little nervous this is what I'm going to experience with all the prophets. I'm really looking forward to January when I can get to the gospel books and start reading the story books of the Old Testament.

But I pray for wisdom as I am in the minor prophets now...this is the Word of God and it is meant for me to read.

The first part of Hosea chapter 6 though was interesting "Come let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence."

This is obvious foreshadowing to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As I read this my mind wandered a bit to think about how we emphasize Christmas so much and we forget that Easter is the most important holiday of the year for us Christians: it is what makes us Christian. Easter is what makes Christmas so special.

I heard someone say that the only two things in life that are permanent are birth and death. And it's not true. On Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and on Easter we celebrate the REVERSAL of death and new birth for all who believe.

I really liked Psalm 126 as I am thinking about Christmas time "Those who reap with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them."

In this life we suffer, we toil, we grieve. But Jesus brings joy and life. He fills all who believe with purpose and fruit.

Today I was listening to this song by Francesca Battistelli and I thought I would share it, it's become one of my favorite Christmas songs.

Listen to it! It's not an ad! ^^

"[Jesus] You could have left us on our own, but you're here."

This is what all of the Bible is pointing to, even the boring parts of Hosea, this is what God is trying to reveal to us in the Scriptures, in the blessings around us, the nature, the relationships, and even the pain and sorrow of this life:

LOOK! Jesus!

The baby boy who grew up to save us all.