Hans Sangtoki Bible Reading: Hosea 14:1-9
“I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them” (Hosea 14:4).
Whenever we find ourselves falling into deep sins of falling again and again into the same sin or just bitter and far away from God, we must not lose sight of God’s unchanging promises and character. The Triune God longs for us to repent and to return to Him again. No matter how much we fall, God’s love for His people is unconditional, and He promises healing and a way out.
In another translation, Hosea 14:4 says, “I will heal their backslidings”. Do we feel like our faith has slid back? Are times getting tough, and our relationship with God seems stagnant? Have we fallen away and thought that God has abandoned us and that we would never be close to Him again? The answer is no! In God’s good sovereignty, He has a plan and reason for all that happens to us for the sake of His glory. Remember God’s promises in Hosea 14:14. God will heal our backslidings and apostasy and sin. Look towards our end hope; God is working in us and shaping us more like Christ until the last day when He will judge the earth.
God’s certain promise of love to us can be fully seen on the cross. How often have we paused and reflected on the meaning of the cross once more? Have we forgotten the well-known verse, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. God loves us so much that He has already sent Jesus, His Son, to die on the cross in our place. Christ’s blood does not fail. We are clothed in Christ’s blood, and Christ’s sacrifice justifies us before the Father. Because of what Christ has done, we are right with God. This is a fact that does not change even when our emotions change. How we must rest in the works of Christ and return to Him
Moreover, the Holy Spirit intercedes and helps us. We are weak and sinful. That is true. However, God promises victory for His people in the end, and He promises that the Spirit will be by our side until we receive the heavenly reward we hope for. Romans 8:26-26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
God the Father loves us, God the Son loves us, God, the Holy Spirit, loves us. The Triune God cares about us no matter how we are feeling or how far we have fallen into sin, not because of any good to be found in us but because it pleases Him to love unworthy people like you and me. John 10:29 says, “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” If we are God’s, He loves us unconditionally. We ought to repent in humility before Him and turn from our idols. We must trust in His sovereignty which is in direct control of all the events in our life. Lastly, we must continue to look to Christ and get to know Him because that is what we were created for.
Lord, forgive me for falling into sins that displease You, and forgive me because I have slipped away in my walk of faith. Please let me know of your promises, especially what You have done in Christ for me. Teach me to trust in You and to obey Your ways. Thank You that You are unchangeable and that Your love for me lasts forever. Teach me to respond correctly to Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Hans Sangtoki (18) is the coordinator of RE Generation Z. He has a passion for serving his generation and sharing hope in Christ. He also has an interest in classical music and dreams of conducting an orchestra one day.