READING FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2026: HOSEA 8, MATTHEW 18, PSALM 13                                   HOSEA 8 This chapter is principally a prophecy against Israel, although Judah’s actions and the resulting consequences are briefly mentioned at the end.  God opens by saying His proclama- tion should be trumpeted loudly. This is not information to be whispered in secret but publicly broadcast. Do we only want pleasant news from God emphasized and disturbing content mini- mized? If so this chapter in particular and the Bible as a whole are not for us. That’s one reason so many churches today downplay or misrepresent the Bible: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires” (2 Tim. 4:2-3). Yet, God’s word is always, always for our own good—no matter what we think.

God’s message to His people Israel is that an enemy will swoop down against them because they, being Israel, disobeyed His word. They used to have a wonderful covenantal relationship with God. In important ways it was like marriage, but they rebelled against God. Israel claims they know God. We can make any claim we wish, but that doesn’t make it true. The truth is revealed by our/their actions. In this case, they appointed kings not of God’s choosing. Their objects of worship were silver and gold, including a golden calf. For us, it could be our job or our recreation- al pursuits. Is God indifferent to these life choices? “My anger burns against them!” (vs.5). Isn’t it amazing that the God of the universe deeply cares about what we most value in life?

God says Israel sought and paid for alliances with other countries instead of seeking Him. They multiplied their places of worship. But instead of increasing their blessings, these sites increased their sinning. Though God gave them His written word, Israel thought it was strange and perhaps outdated. Those of us treasuring God’s word in this three-year reading journey will not make Israel’s mistake: “I have treasured Your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). Despite Israel’s sins, they kept doing religion, just as folks today can keep attending church. But because of misplaced priorities and sins, it was to no avail: “As for My sacrificial gifts, they sacrifice the flesh and eat it, but the Lord has taken no delight in them. Now He will remember their guilt and punish them for their sins” (vs. 13). Verse 14 mentions Judah’s effort to fortify themselves, apparently without God. God will set all this on fire. We cannot save ourselves. 

MATTHEW 18 The disciples asked who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is? Jesus, never one to give the “expected” answer, responded by saying 1) those who are not converted cannot enter the kingdom and 2) those converted who humble themselves like a child are the greatest in the kingdom. In Matthew 5 He used these same categories but with a slightly different focus. He said 1) the scribes and Pharisees won’t be in the Kingdom because they did not convert; they rejected Jesus. He said 2) those who did not accept, or humble themselves to, the entire Bible will be least in the kingdom. Finally, 3) those humble enough to submit to the entire Bible will be greatest in the kingdom. No contradiction here. 

READINGS FOR FEBRUARY 25, 2026 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 18, PSALM 13                              Jesus expresses the highest value for children. Foreshadowing Matthew 25, we can imagine receiving Jesus Himself whenever we receive a child in His name—because He said so! Jesus says it would be better to be dead than cause a believing child to stumble (meaning to lose faith—Matt. 18:6). What are ways adults, such as a parent, might cause a child to stumble:

• Not giving the child the freedom to ask tough questions about the Christian faith.
• Setting a bad example by not attending church, reading Bible, tithing, etc. 
• Not living out the fruit of the Spirit as found in Gal. 5:22-23 (i.e., love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control).
• Not instructing a child in spiritual truth: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
• Not disciplining a child appropriately: “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older he will not abandon it” (Prov. 22:6).                                                                                                          

Jesus says we must avoid becoming a stumbling block to believers, either to ourselves or others—as Eliphaz was a stumbling block to Job. Why? The fate of the stumbler is eternal fire (Matt 18:8). It might even be good things that cause stumbling: such as eyes, hands, or feet. Are there any good things in our lives that might cause us or others to stumble?  St. Augustine said, “The essence of sin is disordered love.” This means loving less important things: such as vacations, cultural approval, job, and even family; more than the ultimate one: God. (Remember how few United Methodists listed God as the most important part of their lives.) Final Observations:

• Children have their own dedicated angels in heaven who are always in contact with the Father.
• Jesus again stressed His main reason for coming to earth: SAVE THE LOST.
• The Father doesn’t want any child to perish. Are our children and grandchildren saved?
• We must discipline fellow Christians who sin, but we must follow the Matt. 18:15-17 plan.
• We must forgive from the heart. Desiring forgiveness but not extending it risks eternal consequences. 

PSALM 13: Let’s not just read this psalm. Let’s do this psalm.

1. Verses 1-2 Four How-Long Questions: Do you feel you have been carrying some burdens for a long time? Too long? Do they relate to areas of health, depression, finances, purpose, relationships, the future, and even closeness to God? As David asked God a series of four how-long questions, let’s write down our own how-long questions and insert the specific burdens we have been carrying for too long.
2. Verses 3-4 Reasons for God to Respond: David was kind enough to give God reasons He should respond: such as David not dying and not giving evil forces reasons to gloat. Why don’t we do the same? Remember the Canaanite woman gave Jesus a good reason to heal her daughter. Jesus was pleased and was moved to heal her daughter. 
3. Verses 5-6 Articulating Praise and Thanksgiving: In the midst of David’s questioning, he found plenty of reasons to praise and thank God. Let’s review our lives and consider all that the Lord has done for us. (Don’t forget the cross.) Write down those that come readily to mind. God loves to receive this sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15-16).