“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.” Hosea 14:4-7 NKJV
Loving Lord God,
At the end of more prophecy about how bad Israel were and what they deserved . . . You, God remind them who You are and what Your every desire is towards them. You want to turn Your anger way and like the early morning dew gently refresh them. You want them to grow healthy from good roots and develop and spread. To have fragrant and fruitful lives. You do not desire to turn away from Your covenant promises even though Israel has broken them time and time again.
You are not a God who stops loving or who gives up. We are saddened that Israel does not turn back to You even after Amos and Hosea faithfully and persistently called them back to You. We look around at our sinful world world today and wonder. You are still a loving, promise keeping God who is still calling people to Yourself. And it fills us with hope. Many are responding and coming to find You as the good, generous, forgiving, restoring Saviour that You have always been. Always ready to heal sin and backsliding and grant life. To our world and ourselves we speak hope as Hosea did. A call to trust in You, Jesus for our present and our future hope, healing and life (John 14:1).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 8th June 2026
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creations revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All powerful, untameable
Awestruck, we fall to our knees
As we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go?
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light?
Yet, conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Chorus
repeat . . .
Lyrics: Laura Mixon Story