Return For Revival

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.