Session 11

Taking God for Granted?

From Hosea: A 12-Day Devotional

Do you take God for granted? Maybe you don’t realize you do. The Israelites didn’t.

Like the Israelites, many of us don’t experience the abundant life that God has in store for us. The thrill of meeting Jesus can wear off in the midst of everyday life, causing us to slip back into old habits and patterns, including leaving God out of our lives altogether.     

How do we live the blessed life that Jesus promises? It starts with a relationship.

Asking Jesus into our lives is not an end; it’s a beginning. God wants a relationship with each one of us. Think about the closest relationships in your life. Those bonds didn’t just happen. They grew over time.

Relationships take work. Just like we would struggle to remain close to a spouse or best friend without spending time with them, we struggle to stay close to God when we’re not spending time with Him. He created you, and He loves you. He craves time with you. He longs to transform your heart, shape you, and mold you into the person He created you to be.  

In Hosea 12:6, Hosea tells Israel, “...return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.” The same invitation awaits for each one of us.

So what are we waiting for? If you’ve ever felt closer to God than you do right now, you can return to Him. Spend time with God by reading your Bible, praying, and listening to the Holy Spirit. Then, wait as He begins to reconstruct your heart.

Reflect:

• Do you feel like you take God for granted? Why or why not?
• How often are you spending time with God right now?
• How much time would you like to be spending with God each week? Is there someone in your life who could encourage you and hold you accountable to reach that goal?