‘I led them with cords of human kindness,
with bands of love.
I was to them like those
who lift infants to their cheeks.
I bent down to them and fed them.’  Hosea 11:4

Despite the jarring commands to marry a wife of whoredom (Hosea 1:2), the OT prophet Hosea has at its heart the reminder and reflection of God’s heart of steadfast love for his people.  Today we’ll look at what makes up God’s steadfast love.  The other readings not only help us to see the bigger picture of his steadfast love, but also our response – Luke 12:13-21 (being rich toward God) and Colossians 3:1-11 (that as we are raised with Christ we seek the things that are above).  We live in a new covenant sealed by Christ’s blood. In this we find our assurance and, to use a 21st century concept, ‘motivation’!