Let Us Return to the Lord

 Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3 

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us…that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord;…he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. What can I do with you, Ephraim…Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.’”

Hosea 6:1-4

Is our love for God expressed like a morning mist which quickly burns away, or like regular rain that waters the earth?

Do we live in God’s presence, regularly acknowledging him through the day, or do we occasionally visit God’s presence in corporate worship?

God’s judgment against Ephraim and Judah was because of their spiritual prostitution with other gods of pleasure, self-indulgence, and pride which only left the occasional feast or ritual sacrifice for Yahweh. Ephraim and Judah repeatedly broke their covenant with God, yet he called out to them through his prophets to return back to the Lord. God’s discipline and judgments were and are meant to get our attention and call us back to faithful covenant relationship.

 Today, if we listen to his Word, will we soften our hearts and surrender, or will we harden our hearts and rebel”

“Lord Jesus, thank you that you speak to us and call us to faithful covenant with you. This day, I choose to acknowledge you and live in your presence through your Spirit, for your glory.”