Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Theme: Redemption as Restoration and Renewal
Bible Reading: Hosea 2:16-23
Key verse: vs 23 “I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my lover to the one I called ‘Not my
loved one, I will say to those called ‘Not my people, you are my people; and they will say “You are my
God"

DEVOTION

The book of Hosea is a prophetic book recounting God’s relentless love for His children. It is a love story of how God loves and treats His people. Since the beginning of time, God’s ungrateful and undeserving creation has been accepting God’s love, grace, and mercy while still unable to refrain from sin and wickedness. Hosea reminds the Israelites and the present generation that our God is a loving God whose loyalty to His covenant people is unwavering in spite of Israel and us turning to false gods. God’s steadfast love is portrayed in the long - suffering husband of the unfaithful wife. Hosea’s message is also one of warning to those who turn their backs to God’s love. Through the symbolic presentation of the marriage of Hosea and Gomer, God’s love for the idolatrous nation of Israel is displayed a rich metaphor of sin, judgment and forgiving love.   In Hosea chapter 2 verses 16-23 God speaks of the day in which the people of Israel would return to the Lord, a restoration which ultimately comes to pass in Christ’s second coming to take His bride. 
It contains messages from God that were delivered by the Prophet Hosea, messages of God’s anger with Israel as well as the eternal hope. Hosea uses striking imagery and metaphors, including ones from agriculture, war and motherhood, The book’s style and tone shift between threat and consolation the prophet is focusing on the importance of repentance and returning to the Lord. Just like the present generation, the people of Israel had become prosperous and complacent. Taking God for granted, they had turned to self-centeredness, idolatry and sin. “Even now” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.  Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity”. (Joel 2:12-13). 
Once we repent and return to the Lord, He will pour out His spirit on us. Turning back to the Lord in fidelity and turning away from idols results in a re-ordering of life. A contrite and repentant person would utterly reject every trace of idolatry and spiritual infidelity.  The story of abounding grace for so great a sinner like you and I is the message that we are now given to proclaim to the world. We are betrothed to Christ, sealed in a marriage bond for an eternal salvation. Yet, we still live in a world cursed by sin.  Jesus Christ reminds us in Rev3:19-20 “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”  My brothers and sisters are you willing to open your heart for the Lord? He is still knocking, will you open?
The first step in restoration and redemption is to recognize one’s sins and inequities and come to the good senses as the prodigal or lost son did. In Luke chapter 15 vs 17-19 we read “when he came to his senses, he said “I will set out and go back to my father and say to Him, father I have sinned   against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.  So, he got up and went to his father”.   But his father was filled with compassion for him, he ran to his son, threw his arm around and kissed him. The father said to his servants, let us have a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  Just like the lost son, we are all lost in our sins and turned away from our loving God. Let us confess our sins and ask for forgiveness just like the lost son. Our compassionate and merciful father will forgive our sins. 
 Confession and Repentance leads to Reconciliation. Reconciliation leads to Renewal and Renewal leads to Restoration. Restoration leads to Redemption and Inheritance. In 1 Peter chapter 2 we read “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you have not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (vs 9-10). Halleluia, we are no longer under the control of Satan and sins, but we are chosen people of God.
We, who were dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we used to live, when we all followed the ways of this world, but because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. This is the unconditional and everlasting love of the Father.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) This love was revealed on the Cross by the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. In Romans Apostle Paul exhorts us to be, living sacrifices for the Lord. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:1-2). As we read in Ephesians chapter 1 verse 7, “In him we have redemption, through his blood.  We have been sealed with the seal of Holy Spirit. (Eph 1:14).
During this lent period, return to the Lord with repentant and contrite heart. Let us surrender ourselves to the Lord and pray that we will be transformed by the renewal of our minds to discern His perfect will.  Let us ask for His mercy and forgiveness just like the prodigal son. Our God is a loving and merciful Lord, who will forgive our sins and restore us to our privileged position as His sons and daughters. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses our sins and inequities and redeems us to be His own.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, during this Lenten season, help us to recognize our sins and turn our hearts toward you in genuine repentance.

Thought for the day

 “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy”. - -- Pope Frances  

Mathew K. Lukose, Sehion MTC Dallas, Plano, TX.

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