“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:1-3 NIV
Hosea 6:1 issues a vital invitation: “Come, let us return to the Lord.” This call resonates deeply with anyone aware of drifting from God’s path. Indeed, recognising our separation marks the first step towards returning to God for healing and restoration. Whether individually or as a community, choosing to turn back to Him opens the door to profound renewal.
Acknowledging our drift enables us to decide to return. God promises to heal our brokenness when we turn to Him. Furthermore, He will bind our wounds and revive our spirits. We shall then live fully in His presence. A truly repentant heart experiences God’s healing touch. Meanwhile, absence from God’s presence leaves us vulnerable and wounded. The devil often takes advantage, inflicting pain and hardship upon us.
God’s desire remains constant: to bring us back to Himself. He wants to mend our wounds and renew our hearts. Therefore, He offers restoration and revival. He longs to re-establish us in His loving presence. David’s experience confirms this truth. After his sin with Bathsheba, David was deeply wounded. However, he eventually returned to the Lord. He then pleaded for God’s presence (Psalm 51), and God graciously answered.
This urgent call extends to everyone. Perhaps you feel distant from God today. Take an honest inventory of your heart. Decide to return to the Lord now. We must acknowledge His sovereignty and daily seek Him. Our healing and restoration are intrinsically linked to this return.
When we remain distant, the devil continues his afflictions. He will injure and wound us further. We might then endlessly try to tend these wounds ourselves. However, true tending, healing, and restoration are found only with God. This underlines the profound importance of returning to God for healing and restoration.
Living It Out
The call to return remains clear today. God awaits your response with open arms, just like the prodigal son’s father. Therefore, run back to Him. Embrace His loving presence, healing, and complete restoration.