This Is The Diagnosis And The Prescription

Hosea 14:1
Return, Israel, to the LORD your God.
Your sins have been your downfall!

Diagnosis is the establishment of the problem. Prescription is the recommendation of a solution to the problem. When we are unwell we have symptoms that something is wrong but we don’t know what it is. We have a headache but we do not know what is causing it. We have a running stomach but we do not know what is triggering it. We wait for some time but the problem persists. We try self-medication (which is a dangerous practice) but the situation doesn’t change or it gets wise. We eventually go to a medical facility. The Doctor in an attempt to know the problem takes our vital signs and history. We are also sent to the laboratory for tests. The laboratory results eventually show what the problem is. Now we have a diagnosis of the problem.

Diagnosis is the pinpointing of the real problem. To say we have a diagnosis is to say we know the problem. Now that the problem is known, a solution is given. That solution is the prescription. Prescription is normally written by a medical expert giving instructions on procedures and medication that the patient needs in order to end the identified problem. When we are unwell, we need a diagnosis and a prescription. We need identification of the actual problem and the relevant solution. We need a diagnosis and a prescription.

Israelites had suffered a myriad of problems. Crop failure. Bad leadership. Corruption. Untold sicknesses and diseases. Business losses. Relationships breakdown. The nation had been vulnerable to enemy attacks and Hosea wrote just before the worst attack and captivity happened around 721BC. Nothing seemed to work and clearly there was a serious underlying problem that was affecting this Northern Kingdom of Israel (browse reikesis.com to know the difference between the Southern Kingdom and the Northern Kingdom). Hosea ends his book by giving a diagnosis and a prescription.

In our text today, Hosea tells us that the problem that is killing the nation and is about to permanently destroy it is sin. The diagnosis is sin. The solution is to repent, return to God. The prescription is to return to God. This is the diagnosis and prescription.

Restoring your relationship with God will solve all your problems. Every problem you have is caused by the fact that you have a bad relationship with God. Problems considered normal are getting worse and out of hand because your relationship with God doesn’t exist or is fake. You can’t fool God by using Him to solve your problems, but refusing to completely relate with Him. You do not want to change as God wants, but you want Him to promptly solve your problems? Are you serious? God wants a permanent relationship that changes you to His likeness. This is the diagnosis and prescription.

Hosea even goes ahead to give a sample prayer of confession and repentance (check on reikesis.com to know the difference between confession and repentance). This is the diagnosis and prescription.

Hosea 14:1
Return, Israel, to the LORD your God.
Your sins have been your downfall!
Hosea 14:2
Take words with you
and return to the LORD.
Say to him:
“Forgive all our sins
and receive us graciously,
that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
Hosea 14:3
Assyria cannot save us;
we will not mount warhorses.
We will never again say ‘Our gods’
to what our own hands have made,
for in you the fatherless find compassion.”

Sometimes we think it is an allergic reaction yet the problem is sin. Sometimes we think it is a personality clash yet the problem is sin. Sometimes we think it is a lack of concentration on academic work yet the problem is sin. Sometimes we think the problem is the economy yet the problem is sin. When we don’t get the problem right, the solution will forever be elusive. We will suffer without an end.

What could be ailing you academically? What has caused you financial problems? Why is your health situation fluctuating? Why is your relationship in shambles? As you seek solutions, also address the sin problem, it could be and many times it is the real culprit. This is the diagnosis and prescription.

Dear God save us from sin. Forgive us and rectify our ways. As You fix our sin problem, fix all other problems too, in Jesus’ name, Amen!