Walk Toward Him

Prophet Hosea pleads for Israel to return to the Lord (6:1). They had wandered far from God and became entangled in idolatry and gross wickedness. As a result they brought on themselves untold misery and destruction.

But if those who have been torn, smitten and crushed were to return to the Lord there awaits a promise of revival (verse 2). We read something similar in Romans 8:11, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (KJV).

God not only calls the prodigal, but He calls to the world those who are torn, smitten and crushed to come to Him.

To the man in New York City with HIV, broken in spirit, used up and dying. He says, I will heal you and call you My son. To the thousands of street children in Nairobi, lost and entrenched in poverty. I will be your Father, Protector and Provider! To the woman in Ireland who clutches a child watching as her husband walks out on their once promising marriage. I will be Your husband.

Beloved, when we are in pain or lost in a sea of questions and nagging doubts. When death seems more welcoming we must believe God is still in control of our lives. He will bring us through the valley of the shadow of death into a spacious place of light and rest where we come alive again.

Let Him work His death in our lives to bring to an end our fleshly props and supports. Our schemes and strategies to get ourselves out of a terrible circumstance. And let His life quicken our hearts to trust Him.

Notice in verse 3 that is says if we follow on to know the Lord. We must ask for His strength to put one foot in front of the other as we walk toward Him. As we do the tears of wasted years, brokenness and sorrow will give way to the later and former rains. Psalms 84:6 says, "When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings." (NLT).

Those who heed the call to come to the Lord will discover the truth in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" (KJV).

With God there is no wasted life, no life too broken or too far from His grace that He can not redeem. So why spend anytime in regret or shame?

Beloved, it's time to walk toward Him and walk into life and wholeness.