Friday of Ember Week in September
Posted on September 20, 2024 by under
Scripture: Hosea 14:1-9 (NKJV)
14:1 O Israel, return to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
2 Take words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.
3 “Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”
4 “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him.
5 “I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, and lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6 “His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 “Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, and grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’ I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.”
9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Devotion
“Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them.” The people had been foolish, departing the faith to chase after idols. The Lord preserved His remnant, and called the people to repentance. On account of their transgression, the people were rebuked, but the Gospel was proclaimed to all those who would be led to repentance and faith.
There are always the foolish who depart the faith. For those who harden their hearts in their rebellion, it is as St. Peter wrote in his second epistle: “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’” (2:21-22) Turning aside from the faith is a foolishness which is almost beyond comprehension. However, the Lord promises mercy to all those who repent: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him.”
The idolatry of the people threatened the whole nation; and yet, still the Lord called His remnant to repentance and steadfastness in the faith, strengthening their faith in the coming Messiah. Now we live in the consolation of knowing that Christ Jesus has made atonement for all sin, so that all who believe in Him have the hope of eternal life. The troubles of the Church and the faithlessness of the multitude sadden us, but do not lead us to despair. The Lord remains our hope and our salvation.
Collect: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of Thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Lord, we pray Thee, that Thy grace may always go before and follow after us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
