# Seeking God, Finding God – Reflections for the Third Friday of Lent
*2009-03-19*

> Bill Young reflects on Hosea 14:8‑9, reminding us that our faithfulness and good works come from God alone, and invites listeners to recognize His work in their lives.

## Reading from Hosea

Our Gospel reading today is from Hosea 14:8‑9: “Your faithfulness comes from me; let those who are wise understand these things; let those who are discerning know them.” The whole book of Hosea is a plea for Israel to return to the Lord, using the image of an unfaithful wife who is still loved and pursued by her husband—God.

## God’s Faithfulness in Our Lives

The passage reminds us that we are nothing without God. Even our faithfulness and the good we do flow from Him. The New American Bible translates the verse as, “Your faithfulness comes from God.” Any good we accomplish is fruitful only because God is the source of that fruit. God loves us as a mother loves her child—free of expectation, full of forgiveness, always ready to give so that we may give back.

## A Moment of Reflection

Take a moment today to consider something you think you have done for God. Notice that, in truth, it is God’s work being carried out through your hands. We are given the grace to perceive His action and the strength to act. As the ancient Taoist saying goes, “I do nothing, yet nothing is left undone.” Let us recognize God’s activity within us throughout the day.

## Prayer for Wisdom

God of wisdom, grant me the wisdom to know that all good comes from You.

*Our every good deed is ultimately a manifestation of God’s own love working through us.*