Scripture Union Daily Guide 3 July 2025 (Thursday) Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 3rd July 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: Neither here nor there
OPENING PRAYER: Dear Lord, make me more like you through the power of your word as I meditate on it.
SCRIPTURE READING – Hosea 7:8-16, New International Version
8 “Ephraim mixes with the nations;
Ephraim is a flat loaf not turned over.
9 Foreigners sap his strength,
but he does not realize it.
His hair is sprinkled with gray,
but he does not notice.
10 Israel’s arrogance testifies against him,
but despite all this
he does not return to the Lord his God
or search for him.
11 “Ephraim is like a dove,
easily deceived and senseless—
now calling to Egypt,
now turning to Assyria.
12 When they go, I will throw my net over them;
I will pull them down like the birds in the sky.
When I hear them flocking together,
I will catch them.
13 Woe to them,
because they have strayed from me!
Destruction to them,
because they have rebelled against me!
I long to redeem them
but they speak about me falsely.
14 They do not cry out to me from their hearts
but wail on their beds.
They slash themselves,[a] appealing to their gods
for grain and new wine,
but they turn away from me.
15 I trained them and strengthened their arms,
but they plot evil against me.
16 They do not turn to the Most High;
they are like a faulty bow.
Their leaders will fall by the sword
because of their insolent words.
For this they will be ridiculed
in the land of Egypt.
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION:
► Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
► Q5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 3 July 2025 – OUTLINE
The people are described as a cake that is not turned because they have mingled with the heathen nation, have remained stuck to their old ways, and lost their flavour (Hosea 7:8). They learned the works of the heathen nations as they serve the idols from those nations. It is bad enough to fall into sin even worse to continue in the sin without realising it. We cannot serve God and idol at the same time. Notice the number of times Hosea uses the phrase, ‘they did not know it’. What are some idolatrous practices we engage in and yet, ‘we do not know it’?
This is a reminder that sin can drive people into terrible situations. Prophet Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us of how deceitful the heart can be. Their sin was so apparent to those around them but not to them. Notice some of the consequences of their sins (Hosea 7:9-11) and the judgment God pronounced upon them (Hosea 7:13).
From Hosea 7:14-16, we see that unless we acknowledge God as Lord and return to Him with sincere hearts, our attitudes will only lead us to the punishment that, like the Israelites, we work for. As children of God, our relationship with Him matters. Our arrogance and insolence toward God and His ways only make us laughing stocks. We will always reap what we sow.
Food for Thought:
Regular self-examination could be a healthy practice.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, grant me the insight to see myself in the way you see me so I can deal with all sinful tendencies and behaviours.
One Year Bible Reading Guide:
2 Kings 3-4; Revelation 2.
One Year Bible Reading Guide, Hard Copy Version:
2 Kings 5-8
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. (Scripture Union Daily Guide 3 July 2025)