In my readings of Hosea this morning, I came across chapter 10 verse 12. The wording is beautiful, and, as often happens, God spoke new thoughts into my mind as I read it. “Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.”
What are you putting into your life and your walk with God? Are you expending much time and energy on the God who gave up heaven’s throne to come and die for you in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ? What are you sowing (in other words, what are you investing in for the future?)? This concerns the law of reaping and sowing. Hosea 8:7 says “For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind…” This indicates that whatever you sow, you will reap far more. The New Testament says that if you sow to the flesh, you shall of the flesh reap corruption, but if you sow to the Spirit, you shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Galatians 6:8)
The verse says that if we sow to yourself in RIGHTEOUSNESS, you will reap in MERCY. This was written to a nation that had forgotten God and was doing wickedness, much like this nation, and much like the churches of today. We need God’s mercy REALLY BAD. What a wonderful promise that if we start doing the right thing, God will have mercy.
Break up your fallow ground. Fallow ground is that area of the field that hasn’t been cultivated yet for planting. He is talking about the fallow ground that is in your heart. Break it up. Melt your pride before the Lord, sacrifice your “I can’ts” on the altar, and say, “Lord, use me in a new way, help me to please you in all that I do.” This is why preaching has to disturb the routine of life and trip us up, and drive us to seeking the Lord’s face out of a humble heart.
It is time to seek the Lord. Boy, is that ever true! It is actually PAST time, really, but the old saying bears repeating: Better late than NEVER! Seek the Lord. Matthew 6 tells us that we are to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God (a spiritual kingdom made up of saved believers) and HIS righteousness, and ALL these things (what the Gentiles seek) will be added unto you. God will more than meet your needs if you decide to SEEK him and, let’s not forget, fellowship with God’s people! If you are reading this at home, and not going to a local church, then you need to get on the ball and seek one out. We are more than ready to welcome you at Berean Calvary Church. Come on over.
We are to seek him until he COMES. He is coming soon, make no mistake about that. The signs of the times are everywhere. When he comes, he will rain righteousness upon you. If you are saved, you have already been MADE righteous, but this verse is telling you that God will RAIN down on you his righteousness. Let me get under that shower, amen? Let’s all get under that shower, and rejoice in the Lord always, and AGAIN, I say, REJOICE.
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