The people say, Let's return to the LORD! He has hurt us, but he will be sure to heal us; he has wounded us, but he will bandage our wounds, won't he? In two or three days he will revive us, and we will live in his presence. Let us try to know the LORD. He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth."

But the LORD says, "Israel and Judah, what am I going to do with you? Your love for me disappears as quickly as morning mist; it is like dew, that vanishes early in the day. That is why I have sent my prophets to you with my message of judgment and destruction. What I want from you is plain and clear: I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. I would rather have my people know me than have them burn offerings to me.

Hosea 6:1-6

Just saying we are sorry to God is not enough. The leaders of Israel thought that by merely returning to prescribed offerings they would be saved. Not so. God rejected that kind of repentance then, just as He does now. Real repentance must result in a change of heart and a change in behavior.

Repentance means hating sin enough to turn from it.

Our Daily Bread - August 22, 2003