Hosea 14:4-6

I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow.  His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.

The lily was a Jewish symbol of chastity and virtue. The Cedar tree, the most treasured of all the trees that grew in the mountains of Lebanon – straight and strong, with a wonderful scent. The olive leaf, a symbol of abundance, glory and peace, was used to crown the victors of friendly games and bloody wars. It’s oil was used to anoint kings as well as burnt in the sacred lamps of the temple.

Don’t you love that God uses the natural things of His creation to describe His care and love for us and what we have the potential to become in Him?

I hope this verse encourages you in the potential of your prodigal. Let’s pray over them the chastity and virtue of a lily, the strength and value of a cedar and the abundance, glory and peace of the olive tree.

Hosea 14:4-6

I will heal ________’s waywardness and love him/her freely, for my anger has turned away from him/her. I will be like the dew to ________; he/she will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon ________ will send down his/her roots; his/her young shoots will grow. ________’s splendor will be like an olive tree, his/her fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.