Hosea 6:1

New International Version (NIV) 

“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.”

For meditation

Children of God! What are we doing sitting there, burdened and grieving as if our world has ended—as if Jesus is still in the grave? Lest you forget. He who saved us is alive and seated in Majesty above. So we don’t have the problem that those in the world without a comforter have.

We shouldn’t continue griping and lamenting as they do. Sometimes, in our grief and our tears, we can miss the Resurrection and the Life just as Martha could not comprehend the essence of His presence after her brother’s death (Jn. 11:24-25; 39). Other times, our faith fails us when afflictions burden our hearts, and we sense no relief ahead; and that’s understandable.

Perhaps you may be among those who might have strayed and entangled themselves in the consequences of disobedience; the Lord is merciful. Hope hasn’t abandoned you. You can lean on God’s constant presence in every situation, like now (Isa. 43:2; Heb. 13:6).

Some of us may have neglected the Holy Spirit in our considerations and decisions and suffered for it. It’s comforting to know He uses them to teach us along the way. Our disobedience and sometimes stubborn attitudes do not surprise Him. Christ can use the resulting sorrow for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).

We’ve all had our times of regret and self-condemnation. If only we had done something differently or listened, maybe things wouldn’t have been this bad, we tell ourselves. But what guarantee does the assumption provide us? You realize why you can’t remain in that grief or miry situation any longer?

Hosea 6:1 calls the bruised and afflicted to come to Him for healing (Hosea 6:1-2). His call is warm as a healing balm for your soul (Jer. 8:22). You, my friend, can throw off “everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (Heb. 12:1) and run to embrace our Lord who calls. Because God invites all believers, you can confidently come before His throne of grace every day to receive mercy and grace (Heb. 4:16).

It is unthinkable for our Father in heaven to deny His children what He has faithfully promised those who confess their sins through Christ (1 Jn. 1:9). Jesus is your Advocate with the Father (2:1-2) if your affliction is from sin. If we are faithless, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim 2:14). His word has never failed. He will heal, bind, revive, and restore you if only you return to Him (Hosea 6:1-2). I can testify to the truth of that statement.

As Chuck Swindoll aptly comments on Psa. 30:5: Sorrow and her grim family of sighs and tears may drop by for a visit, but they won’t stay long when they realize that faith got there first … and doesn’t plan to leave.

So, may the Holy Spirit help you run back to God by picking yourself up from the ashes and getting yourself into Jesus’ refreshing arms, singing His praises!

Pray with Me

Father, in churches across the globe, your children are fasting and praying, seeking your help. We cry out from our hearts, begging for deliverance from our sins and the wrong paths that have led us to these problematic situations. Please hear our plea and have mercy. Deliver us, Jesus, and set us free in your loving-kindness and forgiving grace. In Christ our Lord, amen!