Day 26

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [of My law, where I reveal My will].”

– Hosea 4:6

According to Merriam-Webster, knowledge is “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association, the range of one’s information or understanding.” When we have a relationship with God, we increase what we understand through spending time in His Word. Think of a relationship you have with another person. Would that relationship survive if you never spent time with one another? Would you increase your knowledge and understanding or would your relationship be ruined because you don’t know one another?

During the time of Hosea, the Israelites were conducting themselves as if they were not God’s people. They weren’t following God’s Word, they were worshiping other gods and striving to be like the people in the land they were inhabiting. The Israelites were living in ignorance of the true God, an ignorance for which they were responsible because there was the light of God’s truth in their land. The Israelites were often described as committing spiritual adultery in their relationship with God. The Israelites were constantly warned about coming judgment and punishment, but they chose to ignore it. But punishment is not ultimately what the Lord wants for his people. He desires that they leave their sin. He wants them to return to the One who first loved them and who can provide what is best for them.

Since the Israelites were willfully ignoring God’s Word, they weren’t growing in their relationship, which led to their demise. Their choice to not put effort into their relationship hindered them from God’s promise, will, and purpose. Our relationship with God is like that.

When we spend time with God, we increase our knowledge of Him, His plans, and His Will for our lives. The more time we spend with God, the better we will be able to discern His voice among all the others. We can’t access God’s promises if we don’t know His Word.

Love and nuggs,

Amanda