Image from seekgrowlove.org
Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/4lKRjHw
View devo: https://bit.ly/41ixS0m
1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me.They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. 5 “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans. 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. 8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities. 10 They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. 11 They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria, fluttering like doves. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the LORD. (Hosea 11:1-11 NIV)
Those of us blessed with good loving parents have an inkling of just what this passage is addressing. Good parents do not easily let go of their love for their children no matter what it is they do or cause. I was the wanderer of my family. I was the first surviving child of my parents, preceded by two or three other boys, and one after my birth. Yes, there were, I believe, two other Eradio Valverde, Jr.s born, including one that lived for a day or so, then died. I was given his name I pray that in Heaven we won't fight about that; after all, neither of us had a choice! Given the year and times of my birth, I was given free roaming rights over most of out small town, Kingsville. I loved the railroad tracks and used them to walk on to all things downtown; for other trips I used my bicycle. When I graduated from high school I went away to college, to the East Texas town of Jacksonville. From there I went to Georgetown, then Dallas, then Denver, back to Dallas and upon my ordination to a lot of places. No where I roamed did I not feel the love of my parents. I knew I always had a home to return to, and that's what Nellie and I have told our daughters, that they will always have a home with us should they need. I don't know if spats with sons and dads is common, but if it is, we had our share. Many were the times that I disagreed with my father and we hurriedly left, sometimes in the middle of the night, back to whatever place was our home at the time. One spat lasted through Grandparents Day in September and as I did the children's sermon that day I asked the kids how many had grandparents and all but my youngest raised their hand. Gulp. I called my dad right after church and we both cried as we said our I'm sorries.
Yes, I even wandered away from God when I felt I was not worthy to pursue a career in ministry. I walked away and tried to hide anywhere but in God's house. I left seminary in Dallas and tried to hide in the belly of the whale that was AT&T in Houston. I've shared before that in Houston AT&T had 60,000 employees and I was hired to be a salesperson with them and after sixteen weeks of training I get assigned to sit directly across from another seminary dropout! I knew then I was trying to go up against God. After almost a year working together we both left Ma Bell to return to our seminaries because of a God Who never will not let us go! Try as we might, hide where we will; God will not give up. God will find us (actually He's been with us the entire time!) and will embrace us when we return.
Few passages in Scripture reveal the heart of God more tenderly than Hosea 11. Here, God speaks not with judgment or wrath, but with the pain and love of a parent whose child has walked away. “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” This is not distant affection—it’s personal, intimate, and full of longing.
God recounts how He taught Israel to walk, lifted them in His arms, and led them with cords of kindness. But despite all of God’s care, His people kept turning away. They chased after idols, ignored His voice, and rebelled against His love. Still, God’s response is astonishing: “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?” And how can we not mention Jesus' most powerful parables in His story of The Prodigal Son?, His third story in Luke 15 which we call the Lost Chapter of the lost sheep and lost coin.
This is the God of relentless mercy—one whose compassion “is aroused,” even when His people don’t deserve it. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. Instead of lashing out in anger, He speaks words of restoration and hope: “They will follow the Lord… I will settle them in their homes.”
This passage is both comforting and convicting. For the believer, it’s a reminder that God’s love remains steady, even when we falter. For the skeptic or seeker, it’s a glimpse of a God who is not cruel or cold, but heartbreakingly faithful. Whether we’ve wandered a little or a lot, God’s invitation still stands: Come home.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for loving me with a love that does not give up, even when I wander. Forgive me for the times I’ve turned from Your kindness. Draw me back to You with Your mercy, and teach me to trust Your heart again. May my life reflect the beauty of being known and loved by You. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time today to reflect on where you’ve wandered—then respond to God’s love by turning back, trusting His arms are still open wide.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
