DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
JUNE 25, 2026
READ: Hosea 14 (Focus vs. 1-7 & 9)
MEMORY VERSE
“In you the fatherless find compassion.” Hosea 14:3
BACKGROUND
Mary Slessor’s compassionate heart led her to open her arms to those in need. The Scottish missionary, born in 1848, served among the people of Okoyong in a distant land.
Superstition led people of that region to believe that when twins were born, one was good and one was the child of a demon. This often led to both twins dying—being abandoned to starvation or other dangers.
Reflecting the loving heart of God, in time Mary helped save hundreds of the at-risk children, adopting nine as her own!
In his inspired words to the rebellious nation of Israel, the prophet Hosea offers a glimpse into God’s caring heart for children. The prophet said of Him, “In you the fatherless find compassion” (14:3). Hosea stated that God cared for His own and desired to “love them freely” (v. 4).
But they needed to turn from their defiance of Him and embrace His ways. They were instructed to turn from pagan deities to the true God who cares for the most helpless, the orphans. And if they returned to God, they’d find forgiveness from the one who would “receive [them] graciously” (vv. 1-2).
As we open our arms to those around us, including at-risk children, we reflect the love of God. Let’s embrace His compassionate heart and extend His care to those in need as He helps us.
Tom Felten
INSIGHT
The book of Hosea begins with a bitter, living picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God, lived out in the promiscuous lifestyle of Hosea’s unfaithful wife (1:2). Ultimately Hosea buys her back out of her enslaved condition—a picture of God’s redemption of His wayward people (3:1-5).
At the time, Israel faced severe judgment for their sins. The book’s final chapter brings hope and an appeal. The prophet says, “Take words with you and return to the Lord” (14:2).
He counsels them, “Say to [God], ‘Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips’ ” (v. 2).
Some scholars believe the “fruit of our lips” is a reference to their honest confession before God—a far preferable sacrifice than the empty rituals they’d been performing (6:6).
As we share what God has done for us, we invite others to accept the love of our gracious and forgiving Father.
Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
How has God’s loving example led you to care for those in need? How does it encourage you to know that in Him “the fatherless find compassion”?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“As we open our arms to those around us, including at-risk children, we reflect the love of God.”
PR’s TAKE
“You may be the only Bible someone gets to read – Consider what “story” your life tells those around you.” William J. Toms/Goodreads
“Kindness is (the) language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Anonymous
PRAYER
“Compassionate God, please open my heart and my arms to children and others who are in need around me.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WE ARE HIS HANDS” White Heart
We are His hands
We are His feet
We are His people
Children of the Lord
We share the hope
We share the dream
Believers in Jesus
Children of the King
His Spirit lives within us
Flowing like a river
Filling us with strength
So that we can reach out for our brother
Help one another
We are His hands
We are His feet…
Believers in Jesus
Children of the King
Some of us build, some are teachers
Some can sing like angels
But all of us can love like He loved
Pure and simple
So warm and gentle
We are His hands
We are His feet…
Believers in Jesus
Children of the King
We are His hands
We are His feet…
We are His hands
We are His feet
We are His people
Children of the Lord (children of the Lord)
We share the hope
We share the dream
Believers in Jesus
Children of the King
