I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely

Hosea 7:8-16

Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice. Israel’s arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the Lord his God or search for him.

Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.

They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail on their beds. They slash themselves, appealing to their gods for grain and new wine, but they turn away from me.

I trained them and strengthened their arms, but they plot evil against me. They do not turn to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words. For this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.

Israel turns to foreign peoples, foreign powers, and foreign gods; but never to the Lord. Hosea's language is vividly pictorial.

Why?

Because of the strong foreign country so Israelite turn to their country, their gods, and their culture. This is similar to this generation. 

The most powerful country and the powerful king is the Lord. But people do not know this truth. They are blind in their heart, so they do not return to the Lord or search for him.

This is the sad destination of most people in the world. For all of us are sinners. Only the blessed who trust in the Lord by the chosen and grace of the Lord come upon us.

How?

Give thanks to the Lord and may the Holy Spirit remind me to give honor to the Lord and search for his grace and power. Keep praying to the Lord.