A Call to Return
Opening Prayer
What kinds of healing do you need? does your community need? does our nation need? Pray about these things.
Read Hosea 6:1-7:2
[1] “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. [2] After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. [3] Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” [4] “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. [5] Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth- then my judgments go forth like the sun. [6] For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. [7] As at Adam, they have broken the covenant; they were unfaithful to me there. [8] Gilead is a city of evildoers, stained with footprints of blood. [9] As marauders lie in ambush for a victim, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, carrying out their wicked schemes. [10] I have seen a horrible thing in Israel: There Ephraim is given to prostitution, Israel is defiled. [11] “Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed. “Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, [1] whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets; [2] but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What is the prerequisite for Israel to receive national healing?God takes his covenant seriously. The problem, from the beginning of the human race, has been that we want to do things our way. It is hard to believe that God’s patience with us doesn’t run out! Paul speaks of this as well, saying, “I was shown mercy so that in me…Christ Jesus might display his immense patience” (1 Tim. 1:16). God will heal; it is his promise. Here Hosea includes himself in calling the people to “return to the Lord” (6:1). With all the rebellion, disrespect, and broken promises, the nation can still count on God to restore them if they seek him (1,2). Like any good father, however, God sets up boundaries. We have all seen children who always get their way, who never have consequences for wrong behavior. God is not like a negligent father. Israel, though promised eventual healing (7:1), has endured natural consequences by failing to truly love God (6:4). In the end, God has always wanted our hearts to be right toward him first. For when we love him, then our “sacrifices” will follow (6).
Apply
In what ways do you need to return to the Lord? In what ways can you encourage others to return to him?
Closing prayer
Show me how I need to change my ways, heavenly Father. Teach me to be faithful to You.
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