OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “RESTORED.”
Israel had wondered far away from its place of origin. As if a child lost in a store, she is drawn away by delights of the eye, sensual insights and an overwhelming urgency to seek her own way. She awakens; finding herself tossed into the gutter of sin and interpretation. She has lost her way; she has gone from being the apple of God’s eye to becoming a rotten and desolate fruit that he will judge and hold in contempt until she throws herself at the mercy of our Lord.
America likewise has become a slithering snake that eases herself further and further away from God. We think that we are a country of godly people. We look down our noses at the other places of the world and we proudly jest that we are unlike them. Yes, we have known God, and we have abandoned Him, He has blessed us, and we have in turn taken him out of our schools, our homes, and our public places of assembly.
We have decided that we are a country of intellectual giants who do not need the small idealism of scripture. We stand and we look over the battered horizon, at the hungry and the poor, and the various addicts, and the disjointed lives and we ask why? We slink along and watch helplessly as Satan ravages our land and we ask why? Today we are like the harlot metaphor of Israel in Hosea’s day that has gone out looking for something more than our beloved God.
We have fallen into the pit of iniquity, from which God had drawn us.
He is judging us as we have decided to become standing in our own rebellious ignorance, like a small child that refuses to come to its parents. We are lost. We are rebellious. We are afraid and lonely without the warmth of God. Let us then, as Christians, as concerned citizens who care about the future look back toward the holy word of God that will deliver and direct our course.
INTRODUCTION: The invitation was to live in the ways of God. It was an invitation to come back to the ways that the people knew were right.
When Hosea uses the words “let us”, he speaks in clear terms here to communicate that those who needed to return to the LORD were not alone. In some way all of us are in need of renewal. We all have room to grow spiritually and to be refreshed by the power and presence of God.
More importantly Hosea tells the people to return to the LORD. Idolatry had become a standard practice in Israel and the people were worshipping idols instead of God. We have a difficult time understanding this. The people dropped their convictions and left their beliefs behind. How many times have you given up a conviction for convenience? How many times have you changed what you believe to gain some sort of benefit?
Idolatry is not only about worshipping pagan gods, but it is also about no longer following God. How many times have you fallen to the worship of …
* Drugs * Sex * Possessions * Alcohol * Relationships …
WHY SHOULD WE RETURN FOR REVIVAL?
1. HEALING OF OUR BROKENNESS (v.1)
In this passage, God acknowledges that He has torn us to pieces and injured us. It speaks to the reality of our brokenness and the consequences of our sin. We are reminded that we cannot mend ourselves, but we need divine intervention to heal our wounded hearts and spirits.
The people of Israel are called to return to the Lord. They have experienced hardships and consequences due to their repeated disobedience and idolatry. It is crucial to recognize our own brokenness, acknowledging the ways in which we have turned away from God and followed our own desires. Just as Israel was torn and struck down, so too have our sins separated us from our loving Creator.
2. HOPE OF RESTORATION (v. 2b)
Yet, in the midst of their brokenness, God extends a message of hope and restoration. He desires to heal them, bind them up, and bring them back into fellowship with Him. What a beautiful picture of God's love and mercy! No matter how far we have strayed, God longs to restore us and bring us back into relationship with Him.
Hosea prophesies a time of revival and resurrection after two days and on the third day. This points to the ultimate fulfillment in the resurrection of Christ, who brings us new life and triumphs over sin and death. It is a reminder of the timing and sovereignty of God's plan. He knows the perfect time to revive us and raise us up. We must trust in His timing and have faith that He will bring about our restoration.
God acknowledges our brokenness, the wounds that have torn us and the injuries that have left us hurting. Yet, despite our failings, God offers healing and restoration. He binds up our wounds, bringing comfort and wholeness. This process may take time, but God's faithfulness ensures that the journey is worthwhile.
3. PROMISE OF REVIVAL (v. 2a)
God's promise of revival after two days signifies a renewal of our spirits, a fresh awakening to His presence and purpose for our lives. This revival ignites a passion for Him, breathing life into our weary souls and infusing us with a newfound zeal for His kingdom. Just as the sun rises each day, God's faithfulness in bringing revival to our lives is unwavering, filling us with His Spirit and power.
The imagery of "two days" and "the third day" represents a promise of REVIVAL. It reflects God's appointed timing for bringing about revival and transformation in our lives. This promise is not contingent on our own abilities or righteousness but solely on God's faithfulness and redemptive power.
After two days, or perhaps after a time of waiting and longing, God promises to revive us. He breathes life into our weary spirits, awakening us to the abundant life He offers. Revival is not a one-time event; it is an ongoing process of renewal, as God continuously renews our hearts and ignites our passion for Him.
On the third day, God brings restoration. He restores the relationship between us and Him, enabling us to experience His presence more intimately.
ILLUSTRATION: In 1904 a young ministerial student named Evan Roberts, began to feel that God was sending an urgent message that He was going to pour out a mighty spirit of revival on Wales, which is now a part of Great Britain.
Roberts soon returned to his home church to preach the message of revival, but his pastor was reluctant to allow him to speak. In a compromise, the pastor announced that Roberts would be speaking following the regular prayer meeting and any who wished to stay were welcome. Only 17 people stayed to hear Evan speak and most of them were teenagers and young adults.
When Roberts was finished speaking all 17 young people were at the altar on their knees crying out to God. They prayed until 2 AM that night and it was the beginning of one of the greatest movements of God in all history. By the end of the week, over 60 people were won to Christ and over the course of the next year and a half revival swept through the nation of Wales. Over 1,000,000 people were led to saving faith in Christ.
The revival was so great that the NATIONAL CULTURE CHANGED dramatically.
• A rage of bankruptcies took place - All of the taverns and liquor stores went out of business
• Work at the coal mines was brought to a near standstill - The mules who pulled the wagons were so accustomed to hearing foul language from the workers that after the men were saved the mules no longer recognized their voices or commands
• The entire police force was dismissed for almost 18 months due to a complete lack of crime
• One of the few court cases that was actually brought before a judge was unusual. The defendant came into the court and admitted his guilt, the judge led the man to Christ and the jury closed the case by singing a hymn.
4. LIVING IN GOD’S PRESENCE (v. 2c)
The objective of God's healing and restoration is that we may ‘live in His presence.’ It speaks to the intimacy and communion with God that is made available to us through Christ. Our restoration is not just about being patched up and sent on our way; it is about being fully embraced into the divine presence of our loving and merciful Creator.
God's ultimate desire is for us to live in His presence, to walk closely with Him and experience His love and provision each day. When we press on to acknowledge the Lord and seek Him wholeheartedly, He promises to come to us like the refreshing rains, nourishing our souls and bringing forth spiritual growth and fruitfulness in our lives.
Living in His presence is not just a fleeting moment, but a lifelong journey of communion and intimacy with our Creator. It is through His presence that we find purpose, peace, and joy.
So, what happens when we LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE?
Verse 3 tells us that God will come …
The promise is that God will appear to us when we genuinely seek Him out. This means that whenever we are real in desiring God, He will show Himself to us. Hosea affirms this promise through the description of the promise. Look at what Hosea says there: as surely as the sun rises. Hosea is making it clear that if we seek God, He will appear. This is a fixed fact of life. It is something that we can count on just like the rising of the sun.
He will come to us like the winter rains (FORMER RAIN)
The winter rains played a vital role in Israel’s agricultural economy. The winter rains washed away the remnants of the previous season. For example, the rains would wash away the chaff from wheat left in the harvesting areas. They served as a way to clear the fields of anything left over from the harvest season and then prepared the fields for planting.
The ‘FORMER RAIN’ is the impartation of God’s GRACE that SOFTENS THE SOIL OF OUR HEARTS.
So how does this affect us? Before we do anything for God we must first be in a right position with Him. This means that there must be a cleansing in our lives. God does this in two distinct ways. The first is through the work of Jesus on the cross giving us the opportunity for salvation. Salvation cleanses us from the effects of sin. Just as the winter rains cleansed the fields of harvest.
He will come to us like the spring rains (LATTER RAIN)
The spring rains played a different role in Israel’s agriculture. The spring rains watered the ground for the planting season. This made the springs rains vital for the coming of new life. These rains were the renewing of the land for a new season of life. Spring rains made it possible the seeds to take on a new cycle of life and brought growth to the new plants. Without a good season of rain in the spring there would not be a good harvest. The second is the ‘LATTER RAIN’ through the OUTPOURING of the HOLY SPIRIT on God’s people by preparing His Church for the harvest through renewal and revival.
APPLICATION
You have been issued an invitation this morning. It is an invitation to turn around and come back to Him.
? Do you feel like you have been beat up by the world around you? Are you hurting today because of choices you have made? God is calling and He will bring healing and wholeness to your life.
? Maybe today your life feels dry and lifeless. Maybe today you are in need of a downpour of the Holy Spirit on your life. Today God still promises to send the cleansing winter rains to wash away the old life. God still promises to send the life-giving spring rains.
? This morning you have a choice to make, no one else can make it for you. You are only as close to God as you choose to be.
