December 13, 2006 - Hosea 12-14 and Revelation 4
Some people know that their sin has caused them to drift away from God, but they do not know how to return to Him. We need to hear what God told Hosea to tell Judah and Israel. He told them to return to Him, and He told them how, also. I pray that we will let God's Word speak to us this morning as we consider returning to God and staying close to Him.
God told Hosea to tell Judah to return to Him. (12:6) He told them observe mercy and justice. The word observe means to practice. He was telling them to practice mercy, if they wanted God to give them His mercy. He was telling them to practice justice or righteousness, too. They were to repent of their sins, and repentance is not just being sorry for sin. It is a decision to change their lifestyle. They were to turn from sin to righteousness. Then, they were to wait on God continually. It was not just a prayer of repentance. It was a decision to stay close to God by expecting Him to direct them from then on. This is a great guide for how we should approach God, when we come to Him in repentance.
Then, God called Israel to return to Him, too. (14:1-3) He told them to bring words to Him as their sacrifice, instead of bringing and animal to kill. They were to come and pour out the blood of their hearts before His throne to show the seriousness of their sin. They were to ask God to forgive them by His grace. Then, they were to confess that other nations or idols could not save them, only God. They were to cast themselves on the mercy of the Father. When they did that, God would respond. (14:4) He always responds to a repentant heart that confesses sin and asks for forgiveness that only He can give. This is how we should pray in repentance, too.
Then, Revelation 4 reminds us of the heavenly worship God allowed John to experience. He showed us through John that God is always worthy of our worship, because He is the Holy Creator of all things. If we realize this, we should be in a constant state of worship toward Him. This will keep us from drifting. He is the Sovereign Creator of the universe, and we need Him every step of the way. We must give Him the glory and follow Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joel and Revelation 5.
God told Hosea to tell Judah to return to Him. (12:6) He told them observe mercy and justice. The word observe means to practice. He was telling them to practice mercy, if they wanted God to give them His mercy. He was telling them to practice justice or righteousness, too. They were to repent of their sins, and repentance is not just being sorry for sin. It is a decision to change their lifestyle. They were to turn from sin to righteousness. Then, they were to wait on God continually. It was not just a prayer of repentance. It was a decision to stay close to God by expecting Him to direct them from then on. This is a great guide for how we should approach God, when we come to Him in repentance.
Then, God called Israel to return to Him, too. (14:1-3) He told them to bring words to Him as their sacrifice, instead of bringing and animal to kill. They were to come and pour out the blood of their hearts before His throne to show the seriousness of their sin. They were to ask God to forgive them by His grace. Then, they were to confess that other nations or idols could not save them, only God. They were to cast themselves on the mercy of the Father. When they did that, God would respond. (14:4) He always responds to a repentant heart that confesses sin and asks for forgiveness that only He can give. This is how we should pray in repentance, too.
Then, Revelation 4 reminds us of the heavenly worship God allowed John to experience. He showed us through John that God is always worthy of our worship, because He is the Holy Creator of all things. If we realize this, we should be in a constant state of worship toward Him. This will keep us from drifting. He is the Sovereign Creator of the universe, and we need Him every step of the way. We must give Him the glory and follow Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joel and Revelation 5.