If we like the prophet Hosea would experience our pain similar to
what God experiences His pain, we would be much quicker to turn back when we
sin. Life for the person who turns their back on God is often characterized by
guilt and dissatisfaction. But the true born again believer who has been living
in a lifestyle of backsliding in sin, knows deep down that their spiritual
unfaithfulness will ultimately take its toll and they are simply buying their
time, enjoying their sin for a season. The prophet Hosea well understood the
pain and heartache of backsliding. But he also knew of the grace and mercy of
being restored from such a place for those who would seek it, for he wrote in
Hosea 14:4 “I (God) will heal their backsliding.” God’s people had continued
to backslide and hurt God. In order for the man that God had choose to mediate
His message to his people, his bizarre task would be to take to himself a
wayward wife that would be an unfaithful spouse. Which in turn, brought Hosea
similar pain to what God was feeling towards an unfaithful Israel. Hosea made
it clear in the last chapters of his book that despite the pain that God’s
people had caused Him, He still promised healing, forgiveness and fruitfulness
if they would return to Him. ”I will heal their backsliding.” He said, “I will
love them freely…those who dwell under His shadow shall return”. Hosea 14:4-7.
Restoration waits for us, when we seek it with remorse and
brokenness. God did not leave Israel His treasured people, in exile, alone. The
prophet Ezekiel tells us that God made Himself to be a sanctuary and refuge for
His people as they were suffering from the consequences of their wrong choices.
When life is falling apart around you because of wrong choices; realize that
sin always cuts you off from the very strength and provision you may need to
get your through your troubled times. God’s people were sent into a foreign and
wayward country because of their sin. The prodigal son in the New Testament
sinned, as he decided in his heart that he was going to leave the presence of
his father to seek the wayward life in the foreign country. How deeply the
parallel runs between those two. Remember this, that our sin will always lead
us to a foreign place away from God. Yet, God is never so far that He will not
hear a broken and contrite heart, ready to repent and be restore into His
presence; where God Himself removes the old heart of stone that was vile and
detestable towards Him and replaces it with a heart of flesh that longs to
follow after Him in obedience. Ezekiel 11:16-20 As the God of mercy and grace
offered Israel forgiveness and restoration, even so today He offers you and I,
and all who truly are repentant if we would be broken and willing to change I
John 1:9. Do you feel like you have crossed a line with God? Have you been making spiritually poor choices lately sweet friend
that have caused you to slip away from the Lord into the back country far away
from God? It’s not too late to make a fresh start! Turn to Jesus the One who
died to bring you out!
Loving on you today,
Bren
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