Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Great Lent -An Invitation for Transformation


Forgive and Forget, not Revenge and Regret
Hosea 14:1-9
 
Hosea 14:1-9 is a beautiful invitation from God to His people to return to Him and find healing and restoration. In this passage, God urges His people to repent and turn away from their sins, promising to heal their waywardness and love them freely.
 
The opening verse of the passage sets the tone for the entire message, as God says, "Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity." Here, we see God's heart for His people, desiring that they come back to Him and find healing and wholeness.

The subsequent verses continue this theme of repentance and restoration, with God promising to heal His people's waywardness and love them freely. He declares that if they turn away from their sin and trust in Him, He will be like dew to them, causing them to flourish like a tree.

The passage concludes with a beautiful promise from God, saying, "I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them." This promise reminds us that no matter how far we may have strayed from God, He is always willing and ready to forgive us and restore us to Himself.

As we reflect on Hosea 14:1-9, we are reminded of the incredible love and grace of our Heavenly Father. He calls us to repent and turn away from our sin, promising to heal and restore us if we do. 

As we enter into the Great Lent with the Sunday of the Wedding Feast of Cana (Kothine), we must remember to reconcile with others just as the Lord does for us. We must forgive and ask for forgiveness from our fellow neighbors. Let us respond to His invitation, turning our hearts towards Him and allowing Him to lead us into a deeper relationship with Him. May this Lent be a renewed experience for us all. 
Prayer
Almighty Father, strengthen us to forgive those who have hurt us. Let the words of the Prophet Hosea shower us with thoughts of repentance and peace during this Great Lent


Thought for the Day

“Christians, instead of arming themselves with swords, extend their hands in prayer.” St. Athanasius of Alexandria
 
Roshan Varughese
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church

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