God Hurt Us, but He'll Heal us

 God is an expert at punishing us. He knows just how to get our attention. He never gives us too much punishment or not enough. Since He knows our motives and our actions, He always customizes our chastisement to convict us in both areas. That is just what God did for His people in Hosea's day. (Hosea 6:1-2) He really hurt them just the way they deserved to be hurt. However, God told Hosea to assure the people that He would heal them, too. He knew just what to do to put things right again. In a couple of days they would feel better, if they would turn back to God. Then, after three days, they would be like brand-new, alive and well, fit to face Him. God is still in the restoration business today, too. He will heal us spiritually, if we will turn back to Him.

Sometimes, we need a great deal of encouragement to go back to God after we have strayed. The devil tells us that we are failures, and we just can't live up to God's standard. That is always a lie. If we turn to God, He will give us the power to do His will. He will heal us, taking away the hurt. The fact is that He will make it like nothing ever happened. It won't take long either. Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son? When he came to his senses and went back to his father, who represented God, the Father ran to greet him and restored him to the family with a great celebration, a robe and a ring. He did not cause him to be ashamed of anything. He forgave Him and made him fit to face him. Believe me. God will do the same for us today, if we will go back to Him, no matter what we did, or what God has done to punish us.

#NHBaptistdotorg

Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 9-11.