Hosea 6:4-6 (NLT)
“O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the LORD. “For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces— to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light. I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”
Explanation:
God is cutting to the chase in this passage of scripture. Although there are some poetic words used, the message from God is direct:
I don’t know how else to make this clear to you. I don’t want your religious sacrifices without your heart.
God seems like a dad speaking to His children in this passage. God is not being condescending to the Israelites but is passionately explaining what He wants from them. The passage references that the Israelites’ love vanishes quickly. They seek after God for a time, and they know how their behavior should represent God, but those actions cease after a time. God has tried to make this point clear to them, and has sent prophets to reveal truth and help open up the Israelites’ eyes. Yet they didn’t listen.
It must be frustrating being God. I say that kind of jokingly, but there is truth in that statement. God wants the Israelites (and us) to recognize what is truly important in life. While it is important to bring a sacrifice before God, the real change should be a heart that is operating out of love and mercy. A heart of love and mercy reflects the true heart of God. It reveals a heart that is seeking after God and desiring to be close to Him. Going through the motions of “religion” without a true heart change is pointless. This passage so beautifully represents God’s desire for the Israelites and us. He wants His love for us to propel us to know Him more and to live a life of love and mercy.
Application:
As stated above, the Israelites love for God seems to vanish quickly. Even though they know the truth of who God is, after a time their actions cease to reflect that truth. Have you ever found yourself in that same cycle?
Can you recognize any religious practices you do just “going through the motions?” How can you change those actions to become a reflection of your heart? For example, maybe you go to church each week out of obligation, not really applying the truths you hear to your life. To change that, you can choose to take an action step this week based off the truth you hear this Sunday.
Do you feel that God just wants you to “do religious stuff,” and that by doing those things you are seeking after Him? How does this passage show you that God really desires your heart?
What action step can you take this week to show that you are seeking after a heart of love and mercy? For example:
• Choose to think the best of someone in your life.
• Choose to say an encouraging word to someone.
• Serve someone this week out of a heart of love.
• Instead of grumbling and complaining about a situation or a person, take that moment to thank God for a specific blessing in your life.
Devo Plus:
Read Romans 12:1-2. Think of some practical things you can do to renew your mind so that you can become more like Christ.
Prayer:
God, thank You for being our Father. Thank You for correcting us when we go astray. I know I need reminders and correction, and I am thankful that You do it in an eye-opening yet loving way. Help us to not just go through the motions of religion, but to have TRUE life change because we are in relationship with You. Please give us the strength that we need to make changes in our life. Amen.