Let Us Return

Come, and let us return to the LORD; 

For He has torn, but He will heal us;

He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

Hosea 6:1

How many times have you been wounded and in pain and your last thought is of returning to the God of Love. Our pain is so strong we direct our attention everywhere but His throne, why? Why are we so stubborn? His word says that if we go to Him, He will come to us, like the rain He will come to us. Is that not something to rejoice about? I know not all of us like rain but think of a really hot summer day, humidity is at 100%, there are no clouds in the sky and the sun is right on top of you, if you are like me you are going to wish for rain. And when that rain comes it will be refreshing, that's what Hosea means when he says, "...He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth" (Hosea6:3)

We serve a loving God and if we turn to Him, He will surely turn to us. But sometimes it is the state of our heart that keeps Him away. How would you feel if God told you: 

O Ephraim, what shall I do to you?

O Judah, what shall I do to you?

For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud,

and like the early dew it goes away.

Hosea 6:4

Replace Ephraim and Judah and use your name instead, "O Ana, what shall I do to you? for your faithfulness is like a morning cloud" those are really harsh words. He longs for a faithful relationship with you. Just like we expect our husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend to be faithful to us, He expects and demands the same from us. He will not be fooled if you only give Him lip service He can tell where your heart is and if it's not completely surrendered to Him, He doesn't want your pitiful acts of "righteousness". Instead He says to you, "For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6). Let's not focus so much on what the world is going to say and let's focus on what God is going to say about us. The Pharisees followed the law, they were devoted (at least they appeared to be), they fasted and prayed but they did it so others would see, they were looking for the praise of men and not of God. Let's not be like the Pharisees, let us live surrendered lives, lives that please God. Let our praise and honor come from God and not man. For it is written, "woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets" Luke 6:26

Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, 

"Return to Me, says the LORD of hosts, 

"and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 1