“Come, let us return to the LORD; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3 … “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up you fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, you have eaten the fruit of lies. Hosea 10:12-13 … “But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” Hosea 12:6 … “Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you and return to the LORD; say to him, ‘Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; we will say no more, “Our God,” to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.’ I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. … For the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” Hosea 14: 1-4, 9

God graciously offers the opportunity for all to respond to His love, to accept his offer of salvation from sin and enter into a life of ongoing salvation, resisting sin and becoming more like Christ; to live a Christ-like life. How do I/you/we respond? Do we attempt to save ourselves, worshiping our own efforts, or do we realize it is impossible to save ourselves? Come, let us return to the LORD! Let us return to the LORD’s people, to worship God in unity and strength because we are His children. Let us not get singled out, let us not wander off, let us not allow any other to wander away. Come, let us return the LORD, each and every one!