He will bind up our wounds

He will bind up our wounds

Scripture: “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3

Observation: At the beginning of this chapter, we see the prophet Hosea call the people to repentance, to return to the Lord, who will be faithful to heal and restore those who return to Him.

The word “repent” in the Greek means to change one’s mind, and in Hebrew, to “turn around”. When we return to the Lord, it involves firstly a change in one’s mind and then the firm outward action to turn away from a previous course and move towards God. We cannot have one leg in two boats. True repentance involves a concrete, sure commitment to follow Jesus as Master and Lord. Many try to get the best of both worlds, but to follow God is to turn away from sin. When Jesus forgave the sinful women, he instructed her to leave her life of sin.

Many times, when things go smoothly and there is much success in the world, we tend to forget God and rely on our own strength. It is not until the pressures of life get to us and there is no where else to turn to that we remember God, and turn back to Him. Still, in spite of our human weakness, God is kind and just. He brings healing to those who seek Him, and binds up their wounds both physical and emotional. Some of us have deep emotional wounds even from childhood but God is able to heal us completely. We need only believe that He will do it. The Psalmist says “He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds”. God is interested in bringing us whole healing, mental, emotional, physical, spiritual. When Jesus healed the leper, He reached out and touched him. The physical contact was part of Jesus healing him emotionally. Jesus went on to ask him to show himself to the priest to validate his healing from leprosy. Jesus was concerned that the leper would be healed socially as well. The Lord watches over every area of our lives.

What is the purpose of the Lord reviving and restoring us? It is so that we may live in His presence. Our God is a God of fellowship. He created us to have fellowship with Him. He walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. That was His desire from the beginning. Our aim in life should always to draw closer in fellowship with the Lord. That is where we find true purpose and meaning in life.

Hosea goes further to ask us to acknowledge the Lord, to press on to acknowledge Him. Sometimes it is hard to constantly be aware of the Lord’s presence and principles throughout the day. We need to press on, to not give up, but push forward as we seek God and His reality in our lives day by day!

The last verse speaks of God’s amazing faithfulness. Every rising of the sun, every gentle rain is a reminder to us of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. Let us never forget to praise Him.

Application: Let us examine ourselves that we are in a state of repentance towards the Lord, having our minds and hearts turned towards God, and away from the worldly things of the earth. Some of us need healing! Believe that God is our Mighty God who heals the broken hearted and binds up our wounds. Declare and believe, and hope in our Lord. Know that we are created to have fellowship with God. Seek to have ever closer relationship with Him. Press on to acknowledge the Lord in every area of our lives, to let Him permeate our very being. Thank God for His amazing faithfulness and His mercies that are new every morning.

Prayer: Lord, may my heart and mind always be turned towards You. Keep me away from wayward things I pray. Heal me O Lord, for You are my Great Healer, who binds up my wounds and heals the brokenhearted. Let me grow ever closer in fellowship with You as I seek to know You more. Help me press on towards You. Let Your presence be so real in my life. Praise You, Lord for Your amazing love and faithfulness that is truly new every morning. In Jesus name, Amen.