Hosea 14 -- God Heals Our Backsliding

“Though His people may turn away from Him, God will not abandon them, even though He disciplines them, for He is true to His covenant and His promises.  ‘If we are faithless, He remains faithful,’” my commentary said.  And this last chapter of Hosea offers new hope to those who have stepped away from God.  He even gives us the words to say to invoke His forgiveness.

“God had every reason to reject His sinful people, but He chose to offer them forgiveness … They needed to bring sincere words of repentance and ask God for His gracious forgiveness:  ‘I will forgive them for leaving Me and will love them freely, because I am not angry with them anymore.’”  He sees our pitiful condition, and His love for us moves Him to abate His anger and draw us to Himself in love.

My commentary also says, “God restores the penitent to spiritual health and heals their backsliding.”  It’s almost as if our own decision to sin against Him is like a festering wound, and God washes it clean, removes the sin infection, and seals the skin to prevent re-infection.  Our backsliding was our choosing to sin, and He even heals that – causing us to not want to sin again because we are blown away by such love!

The last verse helps us to see what it takes to be a wise person and an understanding person – to know God’s desires for us and His commands that give us freedom from sin, and to take them to heart.  He also “presents us with only two alternatives:  rebel against the Lord and continue to stumble, or return to the Lord and walk securely in His ways. ‘Good people will live by following them, but those who turn against God die because of them.’”

Father, thank You for forgiving me for leaving You years ago.  Thank You for placing within my heart a desire never to get into that mode again.  But like all flesh, I am tempted at times to test those boundaries and to relive old sins.  Don’t let me go there.  Speak loudly and clearly to me.  And Father, verse 3 says, “You show mercy to orphans.”  Remember those two boys who were orphans.  You placed them in my home and gave them a father.  Show mercy to them when they sin.  Show them the way back.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford