Lent 2014 - March 27

MARCH 27 – Hosea 6:1-6
By: Diane Bechtold

1 “Come, let us return to the LORD; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. 3 Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.”4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like the dew that goes away early. 5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. 6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

What a perfect contrast between the capriciousness of humanity and the steadfast love of God. Hosea exhorts repentance so that there can be restoration to a rightness with the God who raises us up. This is a God who wants a relationship in which we can be close and share love that is freely given. Repentance means not just “feeling” sorry, but making new actions into the future. Let those new actions bring us closer to the heart of God.

Prayer
Loving God, We pray that we not stray far so that we can receive your love and reflect it to others. Amen.