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the door to the house

Hosea 14:4-8 (JDV)

Hosea 14:4 I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.
Hosea 14:5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
Hosea 14:6 his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
Hosea 14:7 They shall return and live beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
Hosea 14:8 O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.

the door to the house

Forgiveness is just the beginning of what God offers the truly repentant. It is the door to the house. Once you enter through the door, you can start enjoying everything in the house. Look at what God has in his house in store for those who repent.

God promises to heal us.
God promises to turn his anger away from us.
God promises to make us blossom and be fruitful like a lily or a vine, or a cypress tree.
God promises to give us strong deep roots like a cedar.
God promises to protect us like shade protects those exposed to the sun.
God promises to make his fame and glory shine through us.

It all begins with a prayer of repentance.