Rande Greene

“Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

-Hosea 6:1-3

 

God finds it necessary to deal with His people in ways that are inexplicable to us. The ways of God are mysterious and sometimes unknowable. He does not deal with us carelessly or without wisdom and skillful strategy. It is stated in verse 1 that the Lord has “torn” them. Some people view God’s actions as judgment that is punitive. That God gets angry and takes it out on people. To say that God has “torn” us to some would mean that God punished us. I don’t believe that. I believe when we have been “torn” by the Lord that it has a greater purpose than

punishment. He tears us to heal us. He who has “torn” us has the power to heal us. He has “torn” us in order to heal us. The ordinance or law of God tears us so that grace may heal us. Hosea states that Yahweh has “struck them down” so that He may “bind them up”. There is distinct and skillful purpose in God’s actions with His people. What God does or allows in the lives of His people have wise and prudent designs. He moves with brilliance and purpose. Take heart in your trials and difficulties; God is not absent. We learn these things as we walk with God.