Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.
Hosea 14:9
This last verse in Hosea chapter 14 sums up the entire book and presents us with a response.
There are two paths for each of us to choose. There is God’s way and then there is the way that Israel took. God has given each of us the freedom to choose which path we will take. The question is, which way will we choose?
We have been reading about Israel and their choices to not follow God’s ways. We have the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. The wise person will take heart and listen and obey God and choose to walk in His ways.
The foolish person will continue to stumble in their sinful ways. They will disregard God’s commandments. God will continue to seek and appeal to the sinner, but they will not listen or turn from their ways.
We have the awesome opportunity to bring our sins to God and He will forgive them. Then he will delight in us and we will delight in Him.
The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.
Hosea 14:4
God, thank you for Your faithfulness to all, even when we go astray. Thank you for your promises and forgiveness. Thank You that even when we choose the wrong path, you are still there loving us and calling us back to You. Thank You for saving us. Amen
God’s promise for Israel is His promise also to us:
I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon.
Hosea 14:6