Come let us return to the Lord.

Hosea 5:8-6:6, Blow the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah. Sound an alarm at Beth-aven: “Behind you, Benjamin!” Ephraim will become a desolation in the day of rebuke; Among the tribes of Israel I declare what is sure. The princes of Judah have become like those who move a boundary; On them I will pour out My wrath like water. Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he was determined to follow man’s command. Therefore I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like rottenness to the house of Judah. When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria and sent to King Jareb. But he is unable to heal you, or to cure you of your wound. For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver. I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. ”Come let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day that we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning cloud, and like the dew which goes away early. Therefore I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; and the judgments on you are like the light that goes forth. For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”

There is a purpose behind the nation of Israel being torn apart and carried into exile: “until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face.” His purpose is far above our limited understanding. Might He bring troublesome times to turn the hearts of the people to Him? And in this we see the ultimate hope of all nations: “He will raise us up on the third day” as He did His own son Jesus Christ. Are we ready to return to the Lord?

Our only hope is in You, Lord; bring revival to our nation and the world!