1. This week's Quiet Times: January 23-27, 2012
The Heart of God
MONDAY
This week we will be reading the book
of Hosea in order to gain insight into
the heart of God. There will be more
reading than usual, but the impact of
these lessons on your life will be well
worth it!! We will be looking at the
way in which our behavior affects the
Lord and examining His greatest
desires! Let’s begin by reading Hosea,
chapters 1-3. As you read chapter 1,
think about Hosea’s relationship to
Gomer and how it applies to our
relationship with God. What were the people of Israel guilty of in verse 2? This is
how God feels when we are unfaithful too. Read Chapter 2. From verses 5-8, what
was Israel doing to God? How did it make Him feel? Despite how He felt, what was
His desire for Israel? Was it to divorce her, or to reconcile? Read chapter 3, and
dwell on your relationship with God. How does your sin make Him feel? Seek to
understand how you are affecting the heart of God.
TUESDAY
Read Hosea, chapters 4 and 5. As you read chapter 4, what type of spirit was
leading the Israelites (from verse 12)? What were they doing to cause God to view
them the way He did? As you read chapter 5, consider how Israel’s immorality and
unfaithfulness caused God to feel (see verse 15). Write 1 Corinthians 6:18 on an
index card and memorize it. Think about how these quiet time passages go together.
God’s heart aches when we sin because He knows how it hurts us.
WEDNESDAY
Today we will be reading Hosea, chapters 6 and 7. As you read chapter 6, consider
how Israel responded to the Lord’s rebuke. Israel’s words were good, but how about
their actions? What does God compare Israel’s love to in verse 4? Why? As you
read chapter 7, consider the results of sin. What was Israel “hot” for? What were the
results of having these “hot” desires fulfilled? Read verse 13, and think about the
heart of God. What did God long for? Write Hosea 6:6 on an index card and
memorize it. Dwell on God’s desire and pray to make it your own!

2. THURSDAY
Read Hosea, chapters 8-10. Read chapter 8 and think about how ludicrous idolatry
(putting anything before God) is. What is the result of idolatry? How does it make
God feel? Why is it so offensive to Him? In chapter 9, Hosea rebukes Israel. What
does he say will happen to them in verse 17? Read chapter 10 and seek to understand
why God was provoked to anger by Israel’s behavior. What were the things they
were doing? Apply this to your life and your relationship with God. How do you
think your behavior makes God feel? “For you were once darkness, but now you are
light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all
goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians
5:8-10).
FRIDAY
Today we will be finishing our study of the book of Hosea. Read chapters 11-14.
What happened to Israel when things were going smoothly and they were well fed
(see chapter 13, verses 4-6)? Describe their focus. How did this make God feel (see
verses 7-9)? According to Hosea 14:4, did God stay angry at them forever? Why?
What do you see as the strongest desires in the heart of God? What is our tendency
when things are going well in our lives? Have you been thankful for the difficulties
you face? Can gaining a better understanding of the heart of God help you appreciate
your life in Christ? Write Hosea 14:9 on an index card and burn it into your hearts
and minds. Praise God, for He is wise and discerning and full of mercy!!!