Jude 1, Hosea 11-14

Hosea 11:8 - How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.

Lord God, you heart is so clear in these verses. Your people had wandered far from you and deserved so much wrath from your hand. And you were ready to give. You were ready to pour out the cup of your wrath on your people. But then you stepped back and your heart warmed and grew tender. You loved your people, rebellious and stiff-necked though they were. You were compassionate for your people even though they deserved your anger. O God, you are so patient with me. I clearly see how I have rebelled from you in so many ways. It isn’t hard for me to see how I have justly earned your rage. But then you ask: How can I? How can I hand him over? And that’s why you handed over your Son. You couldn’t bear to see me destroyed so you handed over your Son in my stead. It is more than I can fathom. Thank you Lord! Lead me to ask this today: How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness too me? How can I show my love to him who has been so compassionate and loving toward me? Let my life show my thanks to you for all of your goodness to me. Amen.