WEDNESDAY 26TH DECEMBER, 2018
THEME: HALF–BAKED CHRISTIAN
TEXT: HOSEA 7:1-10
MEMORY VERSE: HOSEA 7: 8 “Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned.”

We must note that “Israel” and “Ephraim” are often used interchangeably. Samaria is the capital of Ephraim as well as all the 10 northern kingdoms.

In our text for today, we are looking at the moral state of Israel as a nation in a deplorable condition. The king was guilty in that the wickedness of the nation amused him and his royal court. This sin was so prevalent that they had no regard for God’s covenant with them again. Her wickedness was as the heated oven that is continually too hot to be controlled by the baker. Her Kings ignored God’s Word and were not moved by the calamities that befell the nation. They were careless about sins and the people’s sufferings. Some 14 kings and queens of Israel were assassinated within a short time! They were like unturned cakes that burned on one side and uncooked on the other side! Such cake is as poisonous as an adder or serpent. But in all these, what pained God most was that Ephraim mixed herself with the gentile nations. Her behaviour was not different from the wicked cultures of unbelievers. Prophet Hosea (pronounced Osee) lists about 55 such sins in his 14-chapter, 197-verse, book! Note in vs.2 that God laments the insensitivity of the people. He remembers all their wickedness.

God knows your ways, they are open before Him. Whenever a Christian begins to lose the sensitivity and sharpness of his/her conscience, such a person’s heart is evil. It is more dangerous to be half-baked than to be unbaked. Half-baked cakes are poisonous. David prayed for God to deliver him from presumptuous (deliberate) sins. Only then will he be innocent, he said. What is the state of your heart and life? Why not call upon God for help today so as to be restored? When you know you got it wrong, continuing in error is not the solution. Instead, stop; turn to God and receive His help and grace. Stop being so comfortable in the face of sinful acts. They seal your heart against your Creator, God Almighty. You become a rebel fighting against God Almighty. You can never win. Settle with Him.

HYMN: EMHB 8 – O WORSHIP THE KING,
PRAYER: Do not allow evil to take over my heart, O God, and deliver me from all manner of sins in Jesus’ name. Amen.