ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (SEPTEMBER 13, 2012)

Prostitutes in a Wedding Dress

Hosea 2:16-3:1


"...to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word..."
(EPHESIANS 5:26)

A photographer once offered prostitutes a free portrait at his studio. Interestingly, the women almost unanimously chose from the proposed wardrobe a white wedding dress for the photograph. We, too, are prostitutes in a wedding dress. We are prostitutes in God's eyes, since spiritually we run after other "husbands," lusting for what idols offer us-fame, fun, money, or respect from the "in crowd."

But Jesus does so much more than the photographer could do! A photograph cannot change our inner state. The women's desire for purity is very moving, but only our husband Jesus truly purifies us, washing our hearts clean and clothing us in His white robe of perfection. "You were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was of fine linen and silk and embroidered cloth... You grew exceedingly beautiful and advanced to royalty" (Ezekiel 16:13).

By faith in His death and resurrection, we spiritual prostitutes can become His pure bride! If you have never accepted Jesus' wedding dress, there is still time.

INSIGHT
OF ALL THE ITEMS YOU COULD PUT ON, CLOTHE YOURSELF, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WITH JESUS CHRIST.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Ezekiel 5-6
Psalm 133
Galatians 3-4

Hosea 2:16-3:1
New International Version (NIV)
16 “In that day,” declares the Lord,
“you will call me ‘my husband’;
you will no longer call me ‘my master.[a]’
17 I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips;
no longer will their names be invoked.
18 In that day I will make a covenant for them
with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky
and the creatures that move along the ground.
Bow and sword and battle
I will abolish from the land,
so that all may lie down in safety.
19 I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in[b] righteousness and justice,
in[c] love and compassion.
20 I will betroth you in[d] faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the Lord.
21 “In that day I will respond,”
declares the Lord—
“I will respond to the skies,
and they will respond to the earth;
22 and the earth will respond to the grain,
the new wine and the olive oil,
and they will respond to Jezreel.[e]
23 I will plant her for myself in the land;
I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.[f]’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,[g]’ ‘You are my people’;
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
Hosea’s Reconciliation With His Wife
3 The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”
Footnotes:
a. Hosea 2:16 Hebrew baal
b. Hosea 2:19 Or with
c. Hosea 2:19 Or with
d. Hosea 2:20 Or with
e. Hosea 2:22 Jezreel means God plants.
f. Hosea 2:23 Hebrew Lo-Ruhamah (see 1:6)
g. Hosea 2:23 Hebrew Lo-Ammi (see 1:9)


HOPE FOR YOUR PRODIGAL [PART 2]
with Barbara Juliani

Have you tried to bring a prodigal child or friend back to faith? In your own strength, it may seem impossible. But don't be discouraged because God is in the business of leading prodigals home.