The Urgency of Returning to God’s Word: Lessons from Hosea for America Today
While the book of Hosea is not often the focus of sermons or teachings, its message holds powerful relevance for us today, particularly in the context of the challenges facing our nation. Hosea 4:1-6 provides insights that resonate deeply when we examine the state of both Israel in Hosea’s time and America in our current age.
A Call to Hear the Word of the Lord
In Hosea 4:1, the prophet declares, “Hear the word of the Lord.” This command is not just about passive listening; it urges us to actively read, study, and absorb God’s Word. Our beliefs must be rooted in the Scriptures if we are to stand firm in the face of adversity. Psalm 11:3 asks, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” This question underscores the critical importance of a solid foundation. When the foundation of a home crumbles, the entire structure collapses. Similarly, when the foundational beliefs of a family, a community, or a nation fall apart, chaos ensues.
I chose this picture that is in awful shape because it once had a strong foundation…But, over time, the foundation started to crack and crumble that started a ripple effect. If foundation is damaged, everything will start to fall apart and decay. Hosea’s warning is clear in Chapter4: when a nation’s foundation is compromised, its people’s values will shift further away from God. In Hosea 4:2-3, we see a portrait of societal breakdown—cursing, lying, murder, theft, adultery, and bloodshed. For this reason, the land mourns, and everyone suffers. The societal chaos described here is a direct result of abandoning the foundational truth of God’s Word. Sound familiar? America today seems to be in a similar state of disarray, with political, social, and economic struggles consuming us. We get the national chaos in verse 2 when you give up the foundation of the Word of god in verse 1.
The Consequences of Ignoring God
The disconnect between our society and God’s Word is just amazing. We live in a time when many people, even within the church, are ignoring God’s guidelines for living. Our culture seems to be moving further away from biblical truth, and the consequences are showing. Families are falling apart, kids are out of control, schools & society are dealing with gender and moral confusion, and the government is often at odds with the values that once defined our nation.
In Hosea 4:6, God declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” This knowledge is not mere intellectual understanding but a deep, relational knowledge of God’s truth. Many people today lack the wisdom needed to handle every day life… not because it isn’t available, but because they neglect to study God’s Word. As a result, they are left to figure things out on their own, often making choices that lead to more confusion, pain, and destruction.
The problem extends beyond just the nation—Hosea is also speaking to individuals today. (This is another reason why they Bible is not just some ‘out-of-day old book that some feel. Problems and issues thousands of years ago are still the same problems and issues of today)! Without a strong foundation in God’s Word, our lives become chaotic and aimless. It’s important and necessary for us, as individuals, to study the Scriptures to develop the wisdom and knowledge necessary for navigating life. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (meaning how to live).” When we begin with a love and desire for God’s Word, we are more able to handle the challenges of life.
Wisdom: The Key to a Transformed Life
The Bible makes it clear that wisdom is available to us through God’s Word. Proverbs 24:13-14 compares wisdom to honey, saying that it is “good for you” and that if you find wisdom, you will have a future and your hope will never fade. This is the kind of wisdom that guides and keeps us in times of trouble and provides clarity when life gets confusing. Wisdom rooted in God’s Word is not just for the intellectual elite or for scholars, but for everyone. It is available to all who seek it.
There is many benefits for Godly wisdom. As Romans 12:2 encourages, we are to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” We cannot live like the world and expect to see God’s blessing. We must actively renew our minds through the study of Scripture, aligning our thoughts and actions with what God speaks to us through the Bible. We have to study the Word! This is how we can resist being conformed to the world’s ways and live as faithful followers of Christ.
Paul encourages the church in Ephesians 4:23 to “be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” This renewal is an ongoing process, a transformation that comes from hungering for God’s Word and allowing it to shape our thoughts, our attitudes, and our behavior. In Philippians 1:9, Paul prays that the believers’ love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, while in Colossians 1:10, he urges the church to grow in the knowledge of God. And Peter, in 2 Peter 3:18, calls us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The Bible is clear: knowledge of God and His Word is vital for spiritual growth.
The Decline of Morality and the Role of the Church
One of the greatest challenges we face today is the disappearance of biblical morality in our culture. God’s moral standards are no longer taught in schools, and many of our leaders and public schools and colleges have turned their backs on biblical principles. Television, movies, and media often normalize behaviors like promiscuity, transgenderism, and other forms of immorality. Today’s culture is becoming numb to this and treating it as a normal, everyday life. If we keep allowing this to happen, this way of thinking, acceptability, new norms and ways of living, will seep into the hearts and minds of the next generation and making the world an even worse shape it is in now.
Many Christians and the church are silent in this shift and new normalcies. Some churches are not even preaching the Gospel and are even ok with how culture has become! Church attendance is declining, and fewer people are standing up for biblical truth. Christians are called to be salt and light in the world, but too often we sit back out of fear of offending others. Everyone is so afraid of being offended now. The Atheist speak how they feel….the Gay/Lesbian aren’t afraid how they feel…the Transgender crowd isn’t afraid to speak how they feel….But many Christians are afraid or if Christians and church do speak out against, everyone else says they are offended. I believe all non-christians are speaking out because they love their sin so much and hate the Word of God so much that they want Christians to be silent and see the church destroyed so everyone can just ‘live how they want.’ The Word of God is not something we can compromise on and needs defended! We must be bold in defending the truths of Scripture, not just in our words but in our actions as well. The Bible is our standard for life, and we must live according to it, regardless of how unpopular it may be.
Jesus said in Luke 11:28, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” He also told His disciples, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Our lives, our families, and our nation would be in a much better place if we simply returned to studying and obeying God’s Word. The chaos we see around us is a direct result of abandoning the wisdom found in Scripture.
The Consequences of Rejecting God’s Word
As we look at the state of our nation and the world, it’s important to ask: What happens when we reject God’s Word? Judges 21:25 says ‘that everyone did what was right in his own eyes.’ This is America right now. This is the way of thinking of so many people right now. So many young people go around saying “Do whatever make you feel happy,” or “do what you feel is right for you.” Instead, people should say “What does God say about this? What does the Bible say about this?” God is patient, but there will come a time when He will say, “Enough is enough.” In the book of Revelation, we are told that sin and Satan will ultimately be destroyed, and those who reject God’s salvation will face eternal separation from Him. But God’s desire is for all people to come to repentance and know Him.
The challenges we face today—whether they be personal struggles, societal unrest, or moral decay—are often the direct consequences of ignoring God’s Word. We cannot expect God to bless a nation that continues in sin without repentance. Yet, God is merciful, and He calls us to return to Him. If we would humble ourselves, repent, and seek His wisdom, we would see transformation in our lives, our families, and our country.
Conclusion: A Call to Return to the Word
In these uncertain times, it is crucial that we return to the foundation of God’s Word. Look at all the problems today. Do we think we can keep living this way as a nation ignoring God. A lot of problems we deal with today is because of our own sin and ignoring God. The problems we face—both personally and nationally—are often a result of turning away from the wisdom and knowledge that God provides. The Bible has everything we need for life and godliness, and if we would commit to studying it and applying its principles, we would experience true peace and stability.
The Word of God is our standard for living, and it is through knowing and living out its truth that we can find hope and a future. As Christians, we must not be silent. We must stand firm in the faith and defend the truth of Scripture. Our nation, our families, and our lives depend on it. Let us return to the Word of God, seek His wisdom, and allow His truth to transform us.
Challenge Questions to ask yourself:
- How does your daily life reflect the foundation of God’s Word?
- Are you actively studying the Scriptures, and if so, how does that shape your decisions, actions, and worldview?
- In what ways do you see society’s rejection of biblical principles contributing to the chaos and moral decline we face today?
- How can we, as individuals and as a church, stand up for and defend the truths of Scripture in a culture that often dismisses them?
- What are the specific areas in your life where you need to return to God’s Word for wisdom and guidance?
- Are there any areas where you’ve been relying on worldly solutions instead of seeking biblical answers?
Do you need ask God to forgive you of your sins? Do you need to turn from your sinful ways and turn your life over to Him. To learn more, please click on the button for ways to receive Salvation.
Prayer
Lord, we pray for our country. We see the moral decay and chaos all around us, and we ask for Your mercy. May Your truth be proclaimed boldly, and may Your people stand firm in their faith. Help us to be a light in the darkness, standing up for what is right and living according to Your standards, not the world’s.
We ask for strength to resist the pressures of society and to live transformed lives. Give us the courage to defend Your Word, even when it’s unpopular, and to always point others back to You. May we live in a way that reflects Your love, grace, and truth, bringing hope and healing to those around us.
