LA UBF
Hosea’s final words to Israel were to return to God. Their return would begin with deep repentance and devotion to bear fruit as they confess their faith in God. Hosea instructs them how to pray. He teaches them the words they are supposed to say and tells them to take those words with them. Some may say God knows our hearts, and we do not need to say anything. But we may not know what is in our hearts unless we say those words. Paul also encourages believers to confess their faith with words (Ro 10:9).
The loving God was ready to take them under his wings and let them flourish and blossom (7). Now, what they needed was not worldly wisdom and discerning international tactics but to know the way of the Lord (9). They had to humble themselves before the Lord, pray as instructed before God and be covered by his mercy.
Have you gone away from God? Do you feel weary and lost? Take the words with you. Pray to your loving God, who has been waiting for you. Ask him to forgive your sins and receive you back. His grace is much greater than your inequities.
Jun 12, 2025
TAKE WORDS WITH YOU
Passage: Hosea 14:1-9
Key verse: 2
ESV
chapter 14
1. Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
2. Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.
3. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.”
4. I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.
5. I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
6. his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
8. O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.
9. Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Prayer: Father, I repent seeking peace and comfort from other places. I come to you. Please forgive my sins and receive me graciously. Guide me to offer you proper worship with the fruit of the spirit.
One Word: Repent and return