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“I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.”
Hosea 5:15
It is such a strong statement. You know, this phrase is a far cry from the entitled culture we live in today. The acknowledgment of guilt and seeking of God is rare. Consistency is vital for the Christian life. We can’t say that we live for God but continue to feed our lives with the stench of this world. For Israel, and probably for us, (if we are honest) it would be things of the flesh that continually drew them back. It would be the selfish pleasures that enticed their every fancy. We do it because we don’t get caught… but God had been watching the whole time. He knew how close they were to rock bottom.
But in this one statement, God shows us that all things in life point to Him. It’s your choice. You can turn to Him by your own free will, or, realize you need Him when you finally hit rock bottom. Sadly, many will stubbornly refuse to turn even after reaching their lowest point. Many Christians who fill the seats regularly on Sunday are content to hover somewhere in the middle. Their moral checklist keeps them above water but they stay stagnant in their faith, content with the same compromises they have been struggling with now for years. It wasn’t meant to be this way.
It’s amazing the perspective that comes after rock bottom. The absolute desolation that exists at that moment leaves us wandering, looking for something of true value and searching with the kind of vigor we should have had to begin with. Like a fading mirage, we look back at our choices and realize the gravity of our wasted time invested in empty promises. It is both a beautiful and horrific place to land. Beautiful because of the opportunity for a second chance but horrific for the consequences that follow.
God offers hope in the first phrase. “I will return to my place.” His grace is found in the simplicity of standing by the fence post and waiting for our return. He looks on the horizon, searching for His children who have come freely or forcefully. He waits for those who come acknowledging their guilt and seeking His face. Consider what this would look like…
It is not a child that comes selfishly, half-heartedly, or with demands of entitlement. Just like the lost son, this boy comes knowing his guilt and seeking his Father above all else. He moves hastily with reckless abandon back toward familiar land. His eyes dart back and forth frantically searching the horizon for His Father’s face. He tears through the woods and the brush charging through obstacles and leaping to his feet after he stumbles and falls. There’s a tangible urgency. He only has one thing on his mind… hope that the Father will still be waiting at that well-known place.
Out of breath, thirsty and full of scrapes and bruises, he finally catches a glimpse of that familiar territory. It’s his Father’s land. The boy slows to a walk to quickly ponder how to approach his Father with such humiliation and shame. How could the Father possibly take him back after all he has done?
But before He can decide what to say or what to do, He hears the rhythm of heavy footsteps quickly approaching. He turns to see His Father in a full sprint, arms open. The Father embraces His long lost son. “Father, I am no longer worthy to be called your son… I have sinned against you…” But before he can finish, the Father interjects…
“Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
I will return again to my place…
The Father is waiting.