Day 7

January 15

Sarah Green 

Hosea 6:1-2

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.

As we come into the new year, is important to reflect on the past year. What has hindered us from our relationship with God in the past year? What has been distracting? What has separated us from Him? What has stood in the way of us spending time in His presence?

This passage in Hosea opens by saying, “Come, let us return to the Lord”. There may be things from the past year that we need to leave in the past. There are things that we need to change as we enter the new year. Take some time to reflect… what do you need to leave behind so that right now, in 2022, you can return to the Lord?

God, although rich in love, is also one of order and discipline. We see a lot of descriptive verbs in this passage. Because of our brokenness, and separation from Him, He must remove the unnecessary in order to fix and heal us and make us new. He makes us right with Him! How beautiful! We need God’s discipline and correction in order to be restored and be made new. You see the beauty of His promise in these passages. He will heal us, bind up our wounds, revive us, and restore us. We will be made alive in His presence. 

The process may not feel easy, but God’s discipline and correction are necessary for us to return to the right relationship with Him. Lean into this process of restoration. Let Him tear down what needs to be torn down. Let Him injure you where needed so you can be healed up by the Ultimate Healer. His way is perfect. His presence is amazing. Enjoy being restored as His sons and daughters! 

Prayer: Let’s pray, God we thank you for the discipline and correction that you give us so that we may be made whole, restored, and renewed in your presence! Thank you for the love you have for us, that you don’t leave us broken, but that you bind us together and make us whole again. Thank you, Jesus!

Amen.