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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 100

"And that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."

Text: Ephesians 2:16

 

APPEALS TO BE RECONCILED TO GOD

The prophet Hosea preached his heart out to his beloved but erring nation, Israel. Let us consider some of the appeals he made to Israel.

1. A Plea to Return to God

Hosea used every means possible to attempt reconciliation with God.

“Come, let us return to the LORD;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but 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 in His sight.”
HOSEA 6:1-2 (CF. HOSEA 14:1-2)

2. A Plea to seek God

Hosea appealed to ancient Israel to seek God with all their heart. If they were to combine the seeking of the Lord with righteousness, then the anger of God would be turned aside.

“Sow for yourselves righteousness;
Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the LORD,
Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”
HOSEA 10:12

Israel failed miserably. The ancient nation had become stiff-necked because of their sinfulness, and the appeals for reconciliation fell on deaf ears.

THE PROMISE OF FULL RESTORATION HELD OUT

Despite the fact that God issued grave threats on the one hand, He also held out the blessing of full reconciliation with Him. Let us consider the closing words of the book of Hosea.

“I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall grow like the lily,
And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.”
HOSEA 14:4-5

NO ONE HAS EVER SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING ABOUT FULL RECONCILIATION

Prophet after prophet sent by God preached powerful messages of repentance. But their words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

If Israel, the people of God, could not be reconciled by the efforts of the holy prophets, how would Gentiles ever be reconciled? Gentiles were even more steeped in their idolatrous practices.

There was just One person who could accomplish this task of bringing about peace and reconciliation with God- the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!