What Can’t You Give Up?

What Can’t You Give Up?

Bible: Hosea 11:8-11

Reading

[Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God (ROMANS 8:39).

“What’s one thing you can’t give up?” the radio presenter asked. Listeners called in with some interesting answers. Some talked about their families, including a husband who shared memories of his wife who had passed away. Others said they couldn’t give up on their dreams, such as becoming popstars or world leaders. All of us have something we hold on to tightly—a person, a plan, a thing—something we can’t give up on.

In the book of Hosea, God tells us that He won’t give up on His people. God gave His people Israel everything they needed: land, food, drink, clothing and security. Yet Israel rejected God and looked for happiness and security in other places. The more God called to Israel, the further the people drifted away (HOSEA 11:2). However, though they had hurt Him deeply, He never gave them up (V.8). He would teach Israel the right way and make the people His again. He couldn’t let go of the relationship (V.11).

Today, all God’s children can have the same confidence: His love for us is a love that will never let us go (ROMANS 8:37-39). If we’ve wandered from Him, He wants us to return. When God corrects us, we can be comforted that it’s a sign of His love, not of His rejection. We are His own children; He won’t give up on us.

A CHILD OF GOD IS ALWAYS WELCOMED HOME.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries