Scripture Text: Hosea 6:1-4
Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
Hosea 6:1
In the book "The Five Languages of Apology", Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas identified five distinct sentiments in the anatomy of a genuine apology: “I’m sorry,” “I was wrong,” “Let me make it up to you,” “I won’t do it again,” and “Please forgive me.” The book asserts that most people have a primary apology language that determines both how they offer and receive apologies. Some people, for instance, won’t accept an apology unless they hear those three rare words: “I was wrong.”
Israel’s apology language had deteriorated into a crude dialect that could be summed up in the command, “You will forgive us.” These first three verses in today’s reading represent Israel’s response to the judgment handed down to them, and at first glance, the plea resembles repentance. But a closer look proves that it lacked substance.
We can look first at what isn’t there. At no point did Israel acknowledge any wrongdoing. The opening statement oozes with nonchalance as if returning to the Lord was as simple as changing clothes or appetite for food. They expressed no regret, only their obvious desire to be healed and restored. Their decision to choose God was empty of conviction—they had run out of options. This was a last-ditch effort to get on God’s good side.
Israel realized to some extent the power and sovereignty of God, but they remained in complete ignorance of their wickedness. They admitted that God had struck them down and that He had the power to lift them up, but they showed no understanding of why they had been punished in the first place.
Israel’s presumption that God would come to their aid could serve as the definition of what it means to take God’s grace for granted. Verses 2 and 3 describe God’s healing and mercy like a vending machine, requiring no sincere sorrow for sin. But God doesn’t offer a push-button forgiveness. As we will read more, He expects genuine repentance and loyalty. He is jealous for His people’s exclusive worship.
Reflect
1. Do we really admit our wrong to God and ask for His mercy?
2. Do we feel sincere sorrow for sin and needing of His grace?
3. Do we treat God’s forgiveness casually?
Remember
There probably isn’t a person alive who has sinned without thinking, “I’ll be forgiven later.” We sin knowing full well that God’s grace awaits us; sometimes we confess our sins while already anticipating the next offense.
Remind yourself today that the forgiveness of God is not something to be treated casually. Jesus paid for our sins with His blood. We should rejoice in the grace of God, for it is a wonderful gift, but we should never take it for granted.
Read
Proverbs 28:13; Romans 6:1-4
Pray
Our Lord Jesus, I ask for forgiveness for taking your grace for granted. Teach and remind me to value more and more of how You have greatly suffered and sacrificed to pay the penalty of my sins, making me an unworthy creature to be worthy only through You my Lord, Jesus. Thank You for making me and reminding me not to take Your grace for granted and value it more than my life. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
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