Hosea 12-14  The Lord reminds Israel.. and us.. of what He has done and what He requires of His people. 

The Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.. out of bondage, just as He has brought us out of darkness and sin.  He spoke to them.. and He speaks to us... "Even the Lord, the God of hosts; The Lord is His name. Therefore return to your God, observe kindness and justice, and wait for your God continually." (v6)

The Lord said to Israel.. " .. I have been the Lord your God since the land of Egypt; and you were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me. I cared for you in the wilderness.. " (13:4-5) But.. they became satisfied.. and then they became proud.. and then they "forgot" Him..   Does this happen to us too?  Do we forget everything that God has done for us.. do we forget that everything we have is from Him? Do we become proud of our own accomplishments.. the houses we build, the bank account we have accumulated.. the careers that we succeed at?  Do we become so caught up in our own lives that we forget the Lord?  

"It is your destruction, O Israel, that you are against Me, against your help." (v9)  When they turned away from God.. demanding a king.. He gave them one. But, now the Lord was taking away.. not only a king.. but their land.. their homes.. everything that He had given them.. He was holding them accountable for their deeds.  As He will hold each of us accountable for ours. 

Still the message of Hosea ends with one more plea.. "Return O Israel, to the Lord your God... take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.'"   The promise of God is that when we return to Him.. He will hear us! Hallelujah!  "I will heal their apostasy. I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from them." (v4) The Lord promises restoration and beauty.. fruitfulness.. and renown.. He promises to care for His people.. 

"Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right,  and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them." 

The story of Hosea is one of hope.. the Lord our God loves us so much.. that even when we have gone far astray.. even when we have been unfaithful.. He does not stop pursuing us.  Is love is so great that He wants us back and He will forgive us of all our sin. He will take away all iniquity.. .He will receive us graciously.. He will heal us and love us and restore us and bless us!

Father in heaven, how thankful we are that You are the God who saves!  We thank You for being patient and kind.. merciful and gracious. May we keep our eyes on You and our hearts united with Your own. Help us to walk in kindness and justice.. to be merciful.. to walk as children of light.. loving You with all our hearts and loving others as ourselves.  You are our Help and we look to You for all that we need to live that way You want us to.. We put our trust in You today.. In Jesus' name and by His power. Amen.