Borrowed Breath

The book of Hosea is full of graphic language of the LORD’s displeasure and wrath over the nation of Israel’s wayward behavior. And yet, at the end of the book, the LORD gives this counsel to His rebellious children, “Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, ‘Take away all iniquity…’”

Too often, we are scornful of those who seem to only speak of their sins or vices with no apparent change in behavior. Yet our Lord makes it clear that it is step one on the path of repentance. My dad used to quote this verse to us when we were growing up. His wise counsel was to start with confession. 

Of course, confession is only the beginning. If I acknowledge my guilt and inability to keep the law, and yet I still continue to strive to obey and faithfully follow Jesus, I will continue to fall on my face. And that will be my lot. But when I follow confession with surrender, I will find, just as our dear brother Paul found, that the Lord’s strength is perfected in my weakness. 

If I acknowledge that I am drowning, yet refuse the life preserver that is thrown to me while I struggle to swim to shore, I will drown within arm’s reach of my deliverance.

I’m not sure where you are today in your walk. But chances are, there is some area of your life where you are struggling and stumbling and staggering. “Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, ‘Take away all iniquity…’” 

At the end of the book of Hosea, the LORD makes this promise to His repentant children:

“I will heal their apostasy;
   I will love them freely,
   for my anger has turned from them.
I will be like the dew to Israel;
   he shall blossom like the lily;
   he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
his shoots shall spread out;
   his beauty shall be like the olive,
   and his fragrance like Lebanon.
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…

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.”