The right way
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
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The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them. But the rebellious stumble in them (Hosea 14:9b).
Read Hosea 14:5–9
The chapters preceding today’s reading list the sins that Israel is committing against God. God has been forgotten, and God is not happy! The first verses of Hosea 14 are a call to repentance, for the people of Israel to turn away from their sinful ways and turn to God.
That turning is the key to the meaning of repentance. Where once sacrifices were needed to receive forgiveness, now all we need to do is to turn to God and confess our sins. God’s forgiveness will be given to us freely and unconditionally.
Today’s verses are a call to know God. The reading focuses once again on the restoration of Jerusalem after repentance. If the people of Israel repent, if they acknowledge God and surrender to God, there is grace. There is hope!
We are surrounded by so many temptations – this is not unique to our time. But how often do we stop and think about the way that we live our lives, and how we are fulfilling the Law of Love, the New Commandment, ‘to love one another as Christ has loved us’? Is that the way of the Lord? Is that the way we are to walk in God’s grace?
By prayerfully committing each day to God and seeking God’s guidance in our lives, we can follow God’s ways. It is also important to encourage each other as we journey together. Don’t underestimate the power of a quiet word of thanks or affirmation!
And as for the rebellious ones who stumble along the way, let’s pray that they, too, can learn to walk God’s way and share in the blessings that flow from that.
Lead me, Lord, lead me in your righteousness,
make your way plain before my face.
For it is you, Lord, you, Lord only,
that makes me dwell in safety.
Teach me, Lord, teach me truly how to live,
that I may come to know you,
and in your presence serve you with gladness,
and sing songs of praise to your glory.
Amen.
(‘Lead me, Lord’: verse one by Samuel Wesley; verse two by George Strickling)
Colleen Fitzpatrick is retired and lives in Adelaide. She enjoys reading and writing. She particularly enjoys listening to people’s stories and telling her own stories. Colleen finds storytelling a great way to learn about people, who they are and what they do. She loves nature and the beauty of God’s creation – and wishes she could understand what her favourite magpies talk about.
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