Day 24: One True God
March 13
by Michael Lovett
Readings:
Reflection:
After reading the scriptures, check out today's video.
Hosea's prophecy is about as simple and clear a call to change as any you will find in scripture. It is beautiful, urging people to "bring their words" to God and stop trusting (idolizing) things made by humans. Likely, this is referring to idols from nearby cultures. But we idolize so many things in the modern age: screen time, others' opinions, having more stuff, having the latest stuff, comfort, convenience, FOMO, on and on... It's so distracting to our devotion, it's diabolical.
The call in Hosea is to return. In nine short verses, we see our situation and the character of our God in heaven, whom Jesus called "Daddy". God's anger in this passage is not about how terrible we are as people. It's about impact and divergence from the good, true, and beautiful life he wants for us.
Parents can relate to this. Yes, there is a part of us that is angry with bad behavior, but as we get to know our children, there is a compassionate suffering that happens when we see rebellion and folly in our kids. It twists our guts and stresses us out because the suffering is not necessary. Will they grow from it? God as our witness, we hope so. But would our kids' lives be better if they suffered to learn obedience? Absolutely. The problem is that it rarely happens that way. We trust ourselves, fear so many things, we don't pause to take stock until we are in an Emergency Room, deep in debt, or disrupted in some other way. God is actively trying to wake up his people through Hosea in a beautiful, parental way.
Mark's gospel reading picks up the anti-idolatry theme. Jesus makes it crystal clear: The two most important commands are to:
1. Love God, the ONE God, above all things, with all we have, and
2. Love your neighbor (as opposed to needing them: envying what they have, fearing their opinion, idolizing them and their ways)
To love God and neighbor well, wisdom and contentment are deeply necessary practices. Wisdom comes from considering and reflecting. Contentment comes from appreciating, enjoying (not envying), and practicing gratitude.
If you feel like you are not enough, if you feel "behind" in life, you are likely stuck in envy...wanting experience, relationships, and possessions of others. Stop. Please do the following:
Pray against envy and the dysfunctional story in your head.
Seek wisdom.
Seek the one true God, and practice sitting with God.
Read and remember Jesus' teachings daily.
Ask for discernment from the Holy Spirit.
Stop and pray to be who you are, and to love the one true God and others wholeheartedly.
Song:
No One Like You, Jonathan Ogden
Content for wisdom and contentment at: urenuf.life
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Lent 2026 | urenuf.life podcast on Spotify
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