She Reads Truth: HoseaSample

Hosea 9 | 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 | Psalm 51:1-12

“For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely.” -Robert Murray McCheyne

Once upon a time I was tasked by a mentor to pray every day for two weeks that God would show me my sin, and to ask two people close to me to do the same. It was one of the most shocking and enlightening exercises of my spiritual life to date. Because, you guys: that prayer is no joke.

Though what I learned was, well, appalling, that simple prayer taught me a priceless truth of the Gospel: The larger my view of my sin, the larger my view of the cross.  

Seeing more of what should separate me from a holy God means seeing more of Christ. Understanding the vastness of my sin means understanding the vastness of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for me.

The cross covers it ALL.

Why the cross? Why such a sacrifice? Because we are Israel-caliber sinners. Because our holy God cannot be near sin and, therefore, cannot be near us were it not for Jesus.

Hosea 9 is the portrayal of what should be the consequence of Israel’s sin. “Because of the wickedness of their deeds,” says the Lord, “I will drive them out of my house. I will love them no more.” (v.15, ESV) “Woe to them when I depart from them!” (v.12)

Sisters, as painful as it may be, it is important that we see our sin. It is important that we look on it without flinching, that we grasp the lengths to which the Holy One has gone to draw us to Him. We should grieve all sin and we should grieve our sin. But, Sisters, do not despair. Look up to see the cross of Jesus Christ, big enough to cover every ounce of your sin and shame.

Let us pray today that God would pull back the veil to reveal a corner of our sinful heart today - not that we should despair, but that we should repent, return and rejoice in His steadfast love.

Our God hates sin, as should we. But, oh, how He loves us.

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