Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

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Our text today is Hosea 6:3:

Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth." — Hosea 6:3

Every word here sounds right. It even sounds passionate. But in the context of this chapter, something is off with this declaration in verse 3. Something is just not right.

Israel says they want to know God, but they haven't truly returned (i.e., repented) to God. They speak about pursuit, but there's no evidence of surrender. They talk about knowing God, but they're still holding onto the very things that keep them from God.

Again, in Hosea, we learn you can talk about knowing God and still not actually be pursuing him. "Knowing God" is not about information. It's relationship. It's not just learning about him. It's walking with him. It's obedience, intimacy, trust, and submission all woven together.

To "press on to know the Lord" means you don't settle and won't settle. You pursue him daily. You move toward him even when it costs you something. But Israel wasn't doing that. They said it but they were not about to live it. They wanted a Savior without surrendering to him as Lord.

Then they called for a "shower" of blessing. Something refreshing. A great provision. But we know they skipped the pursuit.

In the same way, many believers today do the same. They listen to teaching. They read Scripture. They show up at church. But if there is no daily pursuit—no intentional movement toward God—then they are not pursuing or returning to God. They are using him.

Using God is occasional obedience.
Knowing God is consistent obedience.

You cannot use God. He won't allow it. Eventually, he will cut you off. And you can call for a "shower of blessing" all you want. You can continue your shell game. But God isn't going to play the game with you.

Be honest with yourself.

Are you just pursuing God for blessings, or are you pursuing God to know God?

Press into God today in some new way. Battle with sin. Pray a little longer. Refuse an earthly desire. Speak more kindly. Let God consume your desires, motivations, thoughts, and will, and then receive the shower of blessings that is God himself.

DO THIS:

Set aside intentional time today to pursue God—without distraction, without rushing, and without asking for anything. Just seek Him.

ASK THIS:

1. Do I pursue God daily or only occasionally?
2. Am I growing in knowing Him—or just learning about Him?
3. What would it look like to truly "press on" in my relationship with God?

PRAY THIS:

God, I don't want to just know about you—I want to know you. Teach me to pursue you daily with consistency and sincerity. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Fill The Room"