Hosea 10:12:
“Break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”
John the Baptist, who, besides his cousin Jesus, had his own radical no-nonsense style, preached in the wilderness of Judea calling for people to repent of their sins. His bold proclamation, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” which called on people to examine and open their hearts, was meant to foster a favorable environment for Jesus’ arrival. God used John’s message to prepare the people ahead of time to receive Jesus’ teachings, allowing Him to enter into and operate in their lives. John’s primary message was that people were in need of repentance.
We are once again in an “election” season, not a spiritual one as such but the gravity for our being prepared is no less important. It has been stated this particular election is a critical one, and our hearts must be prepared to pray for the days leading up to November 3.
Several books I have read on the subject of repentance, I found a consistent theme—if we expect to offer effective prayers on behalf of our nation, there needs to be a real shake-up in the condition of our hearts first. Our scripture verse today refers to “breaking up your unplowed ground,” the hard ground around our hearts. We can no longer expect God’s blessing just by virtue of the fact that we would describe ourselves as “good” and that our nation is mostly “good.” “If My people, who are called by My name…will turn from their wicked ways…I will restore their land.” We, His called people, must incline our ears to His voice, and submit our repentant hearts to Him.
With eyes on Him,
~ Marsha
Dear Lord, God, I come today and ask that You would prick my heart and reveal anything that stands between You and me that would prevent my hearing from You. I wait with eager anticipation for what You have in store for me and for America. In the name of Jesus, the One who graciously forgives. Amen.
Books by Marsha Richards:
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