"Come, and let us return to the LORD,
for He has torn, but He will heal us."
Hosea 6:1
A surgeon may need to tear the body with an incision to get to the source of sickness. The patient will experience some discomfort and pain. Yet, he prepares the body to reach a point of healing and wholeness. All the pain and discomfort are worth the desired result of healing. The great Physician, the Lord Jesus Christ, knows how to work in our lives to bring healing when we are sin-sick. When the healing is complete, we have returned to the LORD.
The word healing is used in the Bible not only for physical healing, but also for healing the soul from the curse of sin. On one occasion Jesus healed a paralytic man to prove that He had power on earth to forgive sins (Mark 2:1-12). In James 5:15-16, the Bible associates physical healing with the confession of sin. That certainly doesn't mean that everybody with a physical illness has some secret sin. It does illustrate that healing from sin through confession and forgiveness is more important than physical healing. Some of the greatest saints have had ongoing infirmities and physical disabilities, yet their lives enriched and blessed others, because they knew the grace and love of God. The prophet Hosea called God's people to return unto the LORD to heal them from their sins.
We have all turned away from the LORD at certain points in our lives. The good news is that we are graciously invited to return unto the LORD. God understands our problem and our need. Only He can heal us. He is certainly willing to do so. When we ignore the sin problem, pain and discomfort can be the warning sign that awakens us to our need of God. It may be emotional pain, the hurt from rejection or failure. God will heal us.
LORD, heal us from all our sins.
