Daily Devotional for Friday, July 3

The Confinement

“And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now,” Hosea 2:7.
Jesus once told a story of a young son who was heading down a very destructive path. He took his inheritance, left his father’s house and lived recklessly, pleasing his fleshly desires. But the day came when the money ran out and he ended up in a field, eating with the pigs. It is difficult to imagine a more humiliating situation! Yet, it brought this young son to his senses, and he realized how good things were with his father. His perspective had changed, and he returned to his father’s house with a repentant heart (Luke 15:11-32).
The Lord will bring His wayward children to a place of pain, despair and ruin to bring them back to Him. He hedged the Israelites’ way with thorns because they were running to other lovers and forsaking their God, their Husband (Hosea 2:7). He caused them to lose their strength as a nation and fail in their endeavors. The Lord longed for His people to come to their senses and return to Him.
I have personally been in that very place where I hit rock bottom because of my sin. Praise God, it brought me to a place of repentance and restoration with my Lord! It truly is loving and merciful when God chastises His people. He longs for us to return to His way where we find peace and sweet fellowship with Him and His church. I am a prodigal daughter and have experienced the forgiveness of the Father with His arms open wide, waiting for my return. He will do the same for you.

REFLECTION
Has sin kept you from your relationship with Jesus Christ? Do not sink deeper but cry out to the Lord. His arms are open, He will forgive.

Darla Goodrum