Returning, Reviving, and Rising in His Sight

Returning, Reviving, and Rising in His Sight

Hosea 6:1-2 (KJV) "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."

Introduction: The Beauty of Redemption

Life is full of cycles—ups and downs, moments of joy and seasons of pain. We all experience times when it feels like everything is falling apart, when the weight of our mistakes, failures, or circumstances crushes us. Yet, it’s in these moments of brokenness that God speaks most clearly. In the book of Hosea, we find a powerful call to return to the Lord, a call that offers hope, healing, and revival.

The prophet Hosea lived in a time of great unfaithfulness in Israel. The people had turned from God to idols, and their lives reflected the chaos and consequences of their sin. Yet, through Hosea, God’s message was not one of abandonment but of restoration. He says, "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." This is not just a historical plea for Israel; it is God’s timeless call to humanity.

Think of it like a sculptor working with a block of marble. The artist chisels away, piece by piece, sometimes forcefully, to shape the marble into something beautiful. To the untrained eye, the process might seem destructive, even harsh, but the sculptor knows that every strike of the hammer is necessary to reveal the masterpiece hidden within. In the same way, God may allow us to experience seasons of breaking, not to destroy us but to shape us into something far more beautiful than we could imagine.

As we explore Hosea 6:1-2, we will uncover a sevenfold journey of returning, reviving, and rising in God’s sight. We’ll see how even in our pain, God’s purpose shines through, offering us a chance to live anew in His presence. Let’s step into this redemptive journey together, reflecting on how God’s love calls us back, renews our lives, and sets us on a path of purpose and peace.

This introduction sets the tone for the sermon by connecting the timeless truths of Hosea to modern life and emphasizing God’s redemptive power. It draws the audience in with relatable imagery and the promise of hope.

1. God’s Call to Return

"Come, and let us return unto the LORD..."

Key Scripture: Joel 2:13 – "Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful."

Illustration: A GPS device recalculates when a driver takes a wrong turn, guiding them back to the correct route. In the same way, God continuously calls us to return to Him when we stray.

Application: Just as a driver must trust and follow the GPS to reach their destination, we must trust God’s call and turn back to Him.

Isaiah 55:7 – "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him."

Jeremiah 24:7 – "And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."

Zechariah 1:3 – "Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts."

Illustration: Imagine a child lost in a crowd, calling out for their parent. God’s call is like that loving parent, beckoning us back with open arms.

Application: Returning to God requires humility, repentance, and recognition of our need for Him.

2. God’s Purpose in Pain

"For he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up."

Illustration: A mother takes her child for a painful vaccination shot. Though the process hurts, the purpose is to protect the child from greater harm.

Application: God allows painful experiences to shape us and protect us from spiritual harm, working for our ultimate good.

Job 5:18 – "For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole."

Psalm 34:18-19 – "The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

Hebrews 12:6 – "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

God sometimes allows suffering to draw us closer to Him. His actions are not punitive but corrective.

Illustration: Like pruning a vine, the cutting away is painful but essential for growth (John 15:2).

Application: Trust God’s intentions even when the process is painful.

3. The Promise of Revival

"After two days will he revive us..."

Key Scripture: Psalm 85:6 – "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"

Illustration: Imagine a withered plant that comes back to life after being watered. The plant may appear dead, but with care and the right nourishment, it revives and flourishes.

Application: No matter how spiritually dry or distant we feel, God’s Spirit can revive and refresh us when we turn to Him.

Isaiah 57:15 – "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity...I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Habakkuk 3:2 – "O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years."

Psalm 119:25 – "My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word."

God promises spiritual renewal to those who seek Him. Revival is both individual and communal.

Key Scripture: Psalm 85:6 – "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"

Illustration: A parched field that springs to life after a refreshing rain, symbolizing the outpouring of God’s Spirit.

4. The Power of Resurrection

"In the third day he will raise us up..."

Illustration: A caterpillar enters a cocoon, seemingly lifeless, only to emerge transformed into a butterfly. The process mirrors how resurrection brings new and transformed life.

Application: God’s power can raise us from spiritual deadness to a vibrant, purposeful life in Christ, just as Jesus was raised from the grave.

1 Corinthians 15:4 – "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

Romans 8:11 – "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit."

Hosea 13:14 – "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction."

This foreshadows Christ’s resurrection and offers hope for our spiritual and eternal resurrection.

Key Scripture: John 11:25 – "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Illustration: The story of Lazarus—Jesus’ power to raise from death is a picture of our redemption and renewal.

5. Living in His Presence

"We shall live in his sight."

Illustration: A blindfolded child playing “hide and seek” feels anxious until they hear their parent’s voice guiding them. The child’s joy and confidence return in the parent’s presence.

Application: Living in God’s presence gives us direction, peace, and the assurance of His constant care.

Psalm 16:11 – "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

John 15:4 – "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."

Revelation 21:3 – "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people."

God’s ultimate goal is for us to dwell in His presence, both now and for eternity.

Illustration: A child reunited with their parent after being lost—joy and security in being together.

Application: Living in His sight means aligning our lives with His will and enjoying fellowship with Him.

6. The Assurance of God’s Faithfulness

Key Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23 – "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed...Great is thy faithfulness."

Illustration: During a fierce storm, a lighthouse stands firm, guiding ships safely to shore. No matter how wild the waves, the lighthouse remains a dependable beacon.

Application: God’s faithfulness is like that lighthouse—constant, reliable, and unchanging, no matter the storms in our lives.

Deuteronomy 7:9 – "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy."

2 Timothy 2:13 – "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself."

Isaiah 54:10 – "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed."

God’s actions in tearing and healing, smiting and binding, are rooted in His covenant faithfulness.

Illustration: A lighthouse in a storm—constant and unwavering, guiding us safely home.

7. Our Response to His Mercy

Return, trust, and live in the light of His promises.

Illustration: A person receives a second chance after a mistake—a boss forgives an error, or a judge reduces a sentence. Grateful for the mercy shown, they resolve to live differently.

Application: When we experience God’s mercy, our response should be gratitude, obedience, and a life dedicated to His glory.

Micah 6:8 – "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

Romans 12:1 – "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God."

Psalm 103:8-10 – "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities."

Illustration: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) – A vivid picture of returning to the Father and being restored. Application: God’s mercy calls us to live lives of gratitude, obedience, and worship.

Conclusion: A Story of Restoration

Let me share a true story that beautifully illustrates the message of Hosea 6:1-2:

A young man named David grew up in a loving, Christian home. But as he got older, he drifted from his faith, chasing after the pleasures of the world. He became entangled in addiction, broken relationships, and despair. One day, at his lowest point, sitting alone in a park, he felt an overwhelming sense of shame and hopelessness.

As David sat there, he noticed a small plaque on a nearby bench. It read, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Tears filled his eyes as he realized God was still calling him back, even after everything he had done. That moment was the turning point in his life. He returned to God, seeking forgiveness and healing, and over time, he found freedom, restoration, and a renewed purpose in Christ.

David’s story is a reflection of what God offers each of us: a chance to return, be revived, and rise into new life. Whether we’ve strayed far or feel distant in our hearts, God is always ready to heal what is broken, bind up our wounds, and bring us back into His presence.

Closing Prayer

Let us bow our heads and commit ourselves to the One who restores:

Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our need for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for Your unfailing love that calls us to return to You, even when we have strayed. Thank You for the healing You offer when life tears us apart, for the revival You bring to our weary spirits, and for the promise that we can live in Your sight, renewed and restored.

Help us to trust in Your purpose, even in seasons of pain. Give us the courage to let go of anything that separates us from You and to walk confidently in the path You’ve set before us. We surrender our hearts to You today, asking that You revive us, raise us up, and lead us to live fully in Your presence.

May we leave this place with renewed hope, strengthened faith, and a deep desire to follow You all the days of our lives. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

This conclusion ties the message to a real-life example, reinforcing God’s power to restore, and ends with a heartfelt prayer that allows the congregation to respond personally to the sermon.