Daily Devotion

Saturday, March 7, 2026  

Today's Scripture
Hosea 6:1

Come, let us return to the Lord, for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up.

Reflection

If you’ve ever spent time in New Orleans, you know the prologue to Lent is “Laissez les bon temps rouler”. Those raucous celebrations are done; we are well into the pensive tranquility of Lent.

At Fourth Church, we are charged with a different approach for our Lenten devotionals: Lectio Divina. Recall, this ancient Christian practice entails four steps: Lectio or reading; Meditatio or meditation; Oratio or prayer; and Contemplatio or contemplation. Sublimely, this practice begins in a quiet place… the power of quiet.
The intent is to begin with a clear mind, an open heart, a calm soul. Stillness. And then go deep; the focus is sharp, more narrow. This is spiritual intensity. It requires calories.

This sole verse envelopes the spiritual conscience and incites these reflective thoughts:

“Let us return… God will bind us up”

Return. Returning almost always invokes a comfortable space: returning an unwanted item, getting a do-over (doesn’t happen often for adults); re-experiencing something very good or very familiar — e.g., a second helping (don’t), a song, a place, the gaze (or glare) of an attentive pet, the loving arms of a dear soul. And if we know the privilege of home, there’s returning home — after a long trip, a good workday, a short walk. In my world, “return” is a plea to make it all go away; get one’s health back. How we all wish it could be so.

Yet, where my work is imperfect, God’s work is unfailing. In this Lenten season, we have the license to regroup, to recalibrate as more meditative and more contemplative. This is our time to go deeper with our thoughts, find solace in prayer, and return — to our faith, to our God.

And, what happens when we return to God? Beautifulness occurs. Our wounds are healed.

Which of us isn’t wounded? Physical ailment(s); financial plight; a pained heart; that dark space of loneliness and despair. Even our world is wounded. None of us is fully whole.

Lenten season. This is when it all comes together. When we return… to our God. Our wounds are healed- God. Binds. Us. Up. The worries cease; the pain is resolved; the angst clears; the dark clouds are lifted. The Bible repeatedly and profoundly addresses the binding of wounds: Psalm 147:3; Isaiah 30:26; and today’s verse, Hosea 6:1. Clearly, God is in the healing business.

It’s time. Find that still quiet place; enter immersive meditative thought; contemplate what you believe. God accepts returns.

Enter our serenely comfortable space: the embrace of God.

Prayer

Let our wounds be wrapped in God’s love, our concerns dissipated in God’s magnificent presence, and our joy become boundless in the essence of God. Amen.

Written by Clyde Yancy, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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