Having a sincere heart
Come, let us return to the Lord. For he has torn us, and he will heal us; he has wounded us, and he will bind up our wounds. He will revive us after two days, and on the third day he will raise us up so we can live in his presence. Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land. Hosea 6:1-3
From the text, Hosea tells the Israelites that the way to seek the Lord is by having a sincere spirit. This was also what was stated previously; in 5:15, “I will depart and return to my place until they recognize their guilt and seek my face; they will search for me in their distress.” This constancy in our relationship with God is what He expects from His children. This is in contrast to the insincere, phony attitude of verse 4, “Your love is like the morning mist and like the early dew that vanishes.” Their loyalty to God was just in the surface that it quickly vanishes like the morning mist and the dew. The call was to return and to repent before God. Confidence and reliance should be on God’s grace alone. Unconfessed sin could lead to further alienating from God. He wants to mend the broken relationship with Him only if we return to Him. Like a great physician He will heal, bandage, revive and raise us to spiritual health. His purpose is to have constant fellowship with us. Hosea’s use of numbering the days was to depict a short time, the promptness of restoration when we come to God in real repentance. Once we genuinely repent and seek Him, He promised that He will respond quickly in merciful deliverance. God wants to use us to be His channels of blessings like a refreshing rain in the springtime that rejuvenates the earth. This is the way life can be, and it will be the reality when we respond to Him with sincere hearts. Because Christ has saved us, we will love Him. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
