QT 22/10/2025 Wed. Hosea 12 Return to Your God 归向你的神
QT 22/10/2025 Wed. Hosea 12 Return to Your God
READ http://www.esv.org/Hosea12
Hosea 12 spoke of God's call to repentance, the danger of self-reliance, and the hope of returning to Him.
Scripture focus: Hosea 12:6 (ESV)
"So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God."
Reflections:
Hosea 12 is a sobering chapter—a mirror held up to a people who have forgotten their God while clinging tightly to their own ways. Israel, once blessed, is now called out for deceit, pride, and reliance on wealth rather than the Lord.
Verse 6 stands as a turning point in the chapter, and it speaks directly to us today: “Return… hold fast… wait.” This is the heart of true repentance. Not just remorse, but reorientation—turning back to God, gripping His character, and learning to trust in His timing.
Let’s unpack that:
“Return, by the help of your God…”
We are not strong enough to return on our own. The grace to come back to God is itself a gift. It’s not about trying harder but leaning on Him in humility.
“Hold fast to love and justice…”
These aren’t just virtues—they are reflections of God's heart. Loving well and walking justly are evidence that we’ve turned back to Him. In a world full of compromise and self-interest, clinging to these is countercultural.
“Wait continually for your God.”
Waiting is hard. But God’s timing is perfect. This isn’t passive waiting—it’s expectant, hope-filled, and faithful. It's a posture of dependence.
The broader chapter reminds us of Jacob, the patriarch who wrestled with God. Israel (named after Jacob) is being reminded of its roots: a man who, for all his flaws, ultimately clung to God and was changed by Him. That same transformation is possible for us—but only if we stop relying on ourselves and turn back in trust.
Reflection Questions
(1) In what areas of your life are you relying more on your own strength than on God?
(2) What would it look like for you to “hold fast to love and justice” this week?
(3) Are you waiting on God with faith—or with frustration?
Prayer
Father, I confess that I often rely on my own ways instead of turning to You. Help me to return to You with my whole heart. Teach me to love what You love and to walk in justice and truth. Give me the grace to wait patiently and faithfully for You. I need Your help to walk this path. In Jesus' name, Amen.
QT 22/10/2025 星期三. 何西阿书 12 归向你的神
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/hos/12/
何西阿书12章论及神的悔改呼召、倚靠己身的危险，以及归向祂的盼望。
经文焦点：何西阿书12:6
所以你要靠着你的 神归回，谨守忠信和公平，常常等候你的 神。
默想：
何西阿书第十二章是一章令人警醒的章节——如同高举的镜子，照见那背弃上帝、执意固守己道的子民。昔日蒙福的以色列，如今因诡诈、骄傲、倚靠财富而非倚靠耶和华而受责备。
第6节成为本章转折点，其核心信息直指今日我们：“归回...谨守...等候”。这正是真实悔改的精髓——不仅是懊悔，更是方向的重置：转向上帝，紧握祂的品格，学会信靠祂的时机。
让我们逐句剖析：
“所以你要靠着你的 神归回...”
我们凭己力无法归回。归向上帝的恩典本身就是礼物。这并非靠努力，而是谦卑倚靠祂。
“谨守忠信和公平...”
这不仅是美德，更是上帝心意的彰显。以真爱行事、秉公而行，正是归向祂的明证。在充满妥协与私欲的世界里，持守这些准则是逆流而上的见证。
“常常等候你的 神。”
等候是艰难的。但上帝的时机永远完美。这并非消极等待——而是满怀期待、充满盼望、坚守信心的等候。这是全然倚靠的姿态。
更广阔的章节让我们想起雅各——那位与神角力的族长。以色列（以雅各之名命名）正被提醒其根源：一个纵有诸多缺陷，却终究紧握神、被神改变的人。同样的改变也可能发生在我们身上——但唯有停止倚靠自己，转而信靠神才有可能。
反思问题
(1) 在你生命中的哪些领域，你更倚靠自己的力量而非上帝？
(2) 本周若要“持守仁爱与公义”，你该如何实践？
(3) 你是以信心等候上帝——还是带着沮丧？
祷告
天父，我承认自己常倚靠自己的道路而非转向祢。求祢帮助我全心归向祢，教导我爱祢所爱的，行公义与真理。赐我恩典，使我能耐心忠信地等候祢。我需要祢的帮助走这条路。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
