The Ember Friday in September
Posted on September 19, 2025 by under
Scripture: Hosea 14:1-9 (NKJV)
14:1 O Israel, return to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
2 Take words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.
3 “Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’ For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”
4 “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him.
5 “I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, and lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6 “His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 “Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, and grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’ I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.”
9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Devotion
The Lord commanded us to walk in His ways. Yet, we have stumbled in our Christian walk. Rather than turn away from us in our iniquity, the Lord calls us to return. He knows that we have nothing to offer Him. Without faith, we cannot please Him. Even our “good” deeds are as filthy rags in His sight. We can only plead for mercy.
There is one thing which the Lord desires of us. The prophet Hosea says to us, “Take words with you.” These words, which we are to bring, are the teaching of God’s Law and Gospel. God’s Law has taught us that we have sinned and fallen short of God. We confess that the works of our hands are unsaving idols. The Gospel teaches us that it is the Lord only who saves, and in whom we find mercy. He receives us graciously.
The prophet Hosea quotes God, who says, “Your fruit is found in Me.” Thus, we offer to God only what He has given to us. The fruit which the Lord seeks is the fruit which He gives. Those who return to God “offer the sacrifices of our lips.” We offer to God repentant words which recognize our sins, and faith-filled words that the Lord takes away all our iniquities. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, God heals our backsliding.
Who is wise? The one who is taught by God the ways of the Lord.
Collect: Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of Thy Grace may mercifully be relieved; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Almighty and Everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain that which Thou dost promise, make us to love that which Thou dost command; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
