In the middle of God's rebuke of his people through Hosea the prophet, God gives his people this beautiful challenge: "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love." God promises to help us break up the "unplowed" and hardened ground in our hearts as we seek him. As our hearts soften to God's loving grace, he promises to shower his blessing of righteousness on us as we pursue him and his ways. So, rather than seeing God's call for us to be righteous as a hard goal to pursue, let's see it as a great blessing to receive as we seek him and open our softened hearts to him!

O LORD Most High, use your Holy Spirit to purify and cultivate my heart so that it is soft and receptive to your will and compassionate to those in need. Please make it a holy place for your Spirit to live as you shower your righteousness on me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.