Our scripture this morning is Hosea 10:12-13.
Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord Until He comes to rain righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your numerous warriors.
The prophet Hosea was sent to God’s people with a message of repentance. His name means “salvation” and he preached that even in their wickedness, if the people turned back to God, they could be saved. He urges “break up your fallow ground”, meaning our hardened and unproductive hearts.
He warns that we are in danger “because you have trusted in your way” echoing Proverbs 3:5 – ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.“ When we choose our own way we lose sight of what God wants for us. Instead we must “seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you.”
Jesus taught us this persistence in reconnecting with God as well with the admonition to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7). This leads to a restored relationship with our Creator. God doesn’t move away from us, but we must repent and open ourselves to His love so that we might sow in righteousness and reap in kindness.
Gracious God, even in our sin You do not give up on us! Forgive us, mend us and send us in Your name that the world may know Your love. Amen.
