Let Us Return To Our Merciful God

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, October 17, 2023
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 (NKJV)

The children of Israel often found themselves on the wrong side of Jehovah. God had promised them peace and prosperity on the condition that they would obey Him and shun idolatry. In contrast, if they rebelled against Him, He would allow foreign nations to attack, plunder, and rule over them.

Come Back to the Lord

This trend is evident in the book of Judges. They rebellious children of Jacob often fell into the oppressive hands of heathen nations until they cried to God, upon which He would raise a judge to deliver them. Only when they repented and turned away from idolatry did they experience restoration.

In addition, when they started being ruled by kings, they did not stop this unfortunate behavior. A good example is the society in Prophet Hosea’s time. Hosea ministered to the kingdom of Israel, which comprised ten tribes, except Judah and Benjamin.

He Has Torn, but He Will Heal Us

Interestingly, this was a time of impressive growth and prosperity. However, considering the moral decadence and spiritual promiscuity of the day, it was just a matter of time before a foreign nation would interrupt the superficial peace in the land.

Apparently, God was angry with the Israelites whom Hosea was preaching to. He had forsaken them due to constant rebellion. The prophet knew a worse fate awaited the nation if the people refused to repent. Therefore, he pleaded, “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).

Let Us Return To Our Merciful God

The same God who allows trouble to assail His wayward children heals them when they return to Him. He washes and dressed their wounds instead of rejecting His penitent children. Hosea is confident that God will not remain angry forever. It is our privilege to go back to our compassionate God before the storms of sin engulf and drown us.

Let us return to our merciful God today. If you have rebelled against Him, do not tarry any more in sin. Wait not to fall into the devil’s hands. Before it is too late, heed the Lord’s warning, confess your sins, receive forgiveness and enjoy the accompanying joy. Always ensure you are in God’s good books.

Prayer
Dear God, today, I return to You because You are my merciful God.