If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. 1 John 1:9 AMP
I have just finished reading the book of Hosea. It’s always been a fascinating read…God expects something of Hosea that goes against everything we think a prophet of God should be doing. God instructs Hosea to marry a prostitute, and to take her back every time she strays and commits adultery. The story of Hosea and Gomer becomes a beautiful picture of the lengths God will go to to restore covenant with the people He loves.
For the first 13 chapters of the book we read God’s charge against His people, as spoken through Hosea. It speaks of their depravity, and tells the story of a people chasing after idols to worship them, committing every type of immorality, sinning against God at every turn and a people refusing to let go of their own sinful desires. It also tells the story of God’s righteous anger towards these rebellious children.
Then, in chapter 14, Hosea issues one final call to repentance when he says: “O Israel, return [in repentance] to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled and fallen [visited by tragedy], because of your sin.
2 Take the words [confessing your guilt] with you and return to the Lord.
Say to Him, “Take away all our wickedness; Accept what is good and receive us graciously, So that we may present the fruit of our lips (gratitude).
3 “Assyria will not save us; We will not ride on horses [relying on military might], Nor will we say again to [the idols who are] the work of our hands,
‘You are our gods.’ For in You [O Lord] the orphan finds love and compassion and mercy.” Hosea 14:1 – 3 AMP He then carries on to tell them what their future will look like if they choose to serve the Lord in the rest of chapter 14.
This story has me wondering about us…are we betraying the Lord? Are we guilty of putting our trust in governments, our own strength and wisdom, our financial status, our employers? Are we leaning on structures that will crumble at the first gust of the winds of adversity, or are we placing our trust in the Rock of Ages, the One Who will never fail us?
If we are, can we find it in our hearts to heed the clarion call of the prophetic voices around us, calling us to repentance, calling us up higher? Or are we a bull headed, hardhearted people, still rebellious in our ways? Our Father wants us to be in covenant with Him, and He gives us grace – the power to stay the course – and shows us mercy when we stumble.
We have all these beautiful promises in the Word of God, that reminds us that we have a Father Who is quick to forgive us when we turn to Him in repentance, a Father Who does not keep a record of our wrongs, Who divorces us from our sins and iniquities, buries it in the deepest ocean and never thinks of it again. We have Jesus, Who heals our wounds, Who reconciles us to our Father and we have the gift of Holy Spirit, the One who comforts and teaches us.
Today, let’s pray with David, who said “Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. (Ps 139:23, 24 AMP)