Day 268

Advice to Sinners

Read: Hosea 10-14

Sin is not just a few external actions. The basic problem is, “Their heart is false” (10:2). Sin is putting one’s trust in other things rather than in God: “you have trusted in your chariots” (10:13). Sin is breaking our relationship with God: “my people are bent on turning away from me” (11:7); “they forgot me” (13:6).

God still loves sinners. Israel is his people, and though they have turned their backs on him, God has not turned his back on them or on us! Amazing grace! God says, “How can I give you up . . . !” (11:8).

God’s grace demands a response. His advice to sinners is, “It is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain salvation upon you” (10:12b). What is involved in seeking the Lord? “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of steadfast love; break up your fallow ground” (v. 12a). If you have drifted from God, this is God’s word to you: “It is time to seek the Lord.” Seek him by faith in Jesus Christ, realizing that true faith will motivate you to “sow righteousness.” The harvest will be experiencing the blessings of steadfast love. What a wonderful relationship is built up through years of faithfulness to God. What blessings result from faithfulness year after year to a husband or a wife. We cannot enjoy the harvest if we fail to sow the right kind of seed.

PRAYER
Father, speak to the hearts of people who have drifted away from you. Bring them back. In Jesus’ name. Amen.