TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Hosea 13-14 Chapters
DEVOTION
Hosea 14:1-7
Have you been weighed down by guilt over something you have said or done recently that displeases the Lord?
Do you feel crushed by the burden of sin, just as the people of Israel did?
Just as physical pain is a warning system that alerts us to danger, our soul has a warning system called conscience. A guilty conscience reminds us that our hearts need to be cleansed.
When we are in physical pain, we usually go to a doctor for treatment. In the same way, when our conscience is burdened by sin, we need Jesus, because only He can cleanse, restore, and heal us.
Perhaps you drifted to your old habits and the life style.
Perhaps your prayer life has decreased.
Perhaps the time you spend reading the Bible has become less.
Perhaps you have grown cold toward the things of God.
The effective way to deal with guilt is to confess our sins before God and ask Him for forgiveness. Come to God just as you are. Be honest with Him.
Where can you do all these things?
In prayer.
Seek Him sincerely in prayer and ask for His forgiveness. God gives us a wonderful promise that is relevant to us today as well. He promises to heal us from our idolatry and backsliding. He restores us and helps us live productive and fruitful Christian lives.
Whatever has caused you to drift away from God, come back to Him today. His desire is not merely to expose our sin, but to restore our relationship with Him.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for the conviction You have brought into my life. Forgive me for growing cold toward the things of God. Kindle within me a new hunger and desire for You. Help me to seek You sincerely, spend more time in Your Word, and remain faithful in prayer. Help me burn with love for You and live a fruitful life that brings glory to Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.