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“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” -Hosea 10:12

This is a fascinating verse of scripture. It gives us a simple plan describing what it takes to draw close to the Lord and a right relationship with Him. Hosea was a prophet to the Northern kingdom of Israel. He prophesied 30+ years before Assyria conquered Israel and began to deport the people. His message was a reminder that even when we turn from God, His love never leaves us nor does His forgiveness.

He tells us to SOW in righteousness. The question arises, what do we invest our time and energy into? Our mouths may speak of love for God, but our actions can show a different view. If we desire a closeness with God, our efforts must be focused on sowing into godliness and not selfishness.

The goal is that we will eventually REAP mercy. Know our sowing is not just following an empty command from a distant God but investing in what is right and looking for the mercy of God to fall on us just as a farmer looks with anticipation for the first shoots out of the ground.

We are told we must also BREAK up the ground to allow the seed to easily descend into the ground and begin the process of producing its fruit. Hard or rocky soil makes the path of the seed difficult. We can become so spiritually calloused that we say to God He is not welcome in our life. Not only is the type of soil important but removing rocks and roots that can hinder growth is vital. What things in your life need to be removed so God can flourish in your life
without resistance?

Next, we are to SEEK the Lord UNTIL the rain comes. To me, this is the time following the prepping of the ground and planting of the seeds. All that man can contribute to the hope of a great harvest has been done. Now he must seek the Lord for rain and trust He will bless man’s efforts with a harvest. This is perhaps the most difficult part for us as Christians. Those things out of our control are hard to trust in the hands of others. Yet, we must remember whose hands they are in. Know that God will never disregard our acts of faith and nothing we do for His kingdom will go unnoticed. So, keep trusting and seeking the Lord until you see Him rain righteousness upon you.