Hosea

I have been doing a Sunday School series on Hosea.  In preparation this morning I was struck by Hosea 6. The first several verses Israel (the northern 10 tribes) seem to give a repentant offering of words to God.  It becomes clear, however, that it is only that...words.  How often do I placate God with words that make me feel like I am in the clear, but have resulted in no change of heart?  Our Heavenly Father tells Israel multiple times that He wants them to "rend their hearts" not their garments.  He wants them to offer the sacrifice of a contrite heart rather than lambs and goats.  Today, we don't (I don't) rend garments or offer literal sacrifices, but we certainly are good with words that are empty, false emotion and self flagellation as means of appearing pious before the Lord.  He simply wants our hearts.  May my heart, may your heart truly be humble before Him today.  May our spiritual service of worship be true and sweet in His ears.