Read Hosea 5:15-6:3
God is longing for His people to return to Him with penitent hearts. Verse 15 tells us why He will withdraw His affection from Israel (Hosea 5:1-7) and send Assyria to wound them (vv. 8-14): ″I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face-in their misery they will earnestly seek me.″ Sometimes, it is only when we've been brought really low that we will truly seek after God, and that is what God waits for.
Yet it is possible to say ″sorry″ without meaning it. Scholars debate the meaning of Hosea 6:1-3. Is Israel going through the motions of repentance? Verse 2 seems to suggest that the Israelites believe that if they are sorry for ″two days″ or three, God will be merciful. Or are they truly penitent? Verse 3 suggests they intend to ″press on″. Whichever is true, the sort of confession God is looking for becomes apparent.
Firstly, God is looking for a frank confession of failure. They must admit their guilt (5:15). No more passing the buck.
Secondly, God is looking for a sincere turning of the heart towards Him. ″They will earnestly seek me″ (5:15). No more half-hearted prayers.
Lastly, God is looking for a humble confidence in His mercy. ″He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds . . . he will restore us, that we may live in his presence″ (6:1-2).
This is the sort of apology God waits to hear. When did He last hear it from you?
We need not doubt God's forgiveness when we offer such a confession of sin. Notice in verses 1-3 how often Hosea says ″He will″. To people who are genuinely sorry, God will grant to them a spiritual resurrection that lifts them out of the grip of sin: ″After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence″ (6:2).
Every one of us, even the most devoted, will sin. Every one of us needs to say sorry, and to know His reviving, life-giving Spirit within us. So turn to the Lord now, and sincerely confess your sin to Him.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy, amen.
Think through:
What does God say He will do to bring us back to himself (Hosea 5:15)? What does that tell you about God?
Look at the sort of apology God longs for in Hosea 5:15-6:3. What is the difference between going through the motions and genuine repentance? How can you avoid the former and embrace the latter? Is there any area in your life where you are refusing to acknowledge the Lord?
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