Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously… Not only is the obligation to repent universal, the main features of real repentance are invariably the same. It is the like corruption of heart and practice over which the contrite sinner of every age and country has to mourn; it is the same mercy-seat he has to approach; it is the same God to whom he has to be reconciled. I. AS TO THE GENERAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF MANKIND. The expression, "Thou hast fallen," applies primarily and directly to the case of the Jews. They had fallen in every sense of the word. Their vices had been their ruin; their city was destroyed, their temple consumed, and they themselves were captives in a strange land. The work of devastation had reached their minds as well as their bodies. Many of them clung still to their sins and idolatries. Consider, more generally — 1. The state of degradation to which man has fallen. How often have we, in contemplating our own hearts, or the conduct of others, to blush for the creature who was originally formed in the image of his God. 2. The state of corruption and depravity into which human nature has fallen. It is quite possible to overstate the limits of this corruption. But we may say that spiritual qualities are absolutely extinct in the unconverted mind. 3. The state of suffering to which we have fallen. Some compare the world to a vast hospital, and others to a huge prison. 4. The state of danger and condemnation to which we are fallen. Look at the strong bias of the heart to evil — at the snares of the world, and the temptations of the devil. II. THE DUTY OF MAN UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES. Our Heavenly Father has been pleased to give us, in our guilty and lost circumstances, certain express directions for returning to the God from whom we have fallen. In our text the injunction is — 1. That we should "turn to the Lord." With the help of the Spirit, and by a strong effort on your own part, you should set your face heavenwards. 2. "Take with you words, and say unto God, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously." Feel that your first business and object, in the presence of the Lord, is to seek by earnest and devout supplication, a release from guilt, and wrath, and punishment. This release and pardon you are to seek, not on the ground of any merits of your own, but from the free and unmerited love of God. 3. You are to say unto God, "We will render the calves of our lips." Or as the apostle puts it, "The fruit of our lips giving praise to Him." The feelings of heartfelt gratitude and praise are to accompany prayer. 4. We are to renounce all dependence upon and all allegiance to other masters. Our sincerity will be testified by an abandonment of the paths of sin. A change in the direction of our affections and our services will uniformly follow real conversion. III. THE ENCOURAGEMENT SUGGESTED BY THE TEXT FOR THUS TURNING TO GOD. It is stated in those simple but beautiful words, "For in Thee the fatherless findeth mercy." Apply to the despondent; to the believer; to the contrite sinner. (J. W. Cunningham.) Parallel Verses KJV: Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips. |
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