THE STORY OF JESUS: Hosea 1-3
“Show your love to your wife again, though she is… an adulteress.” (Hosea 3:1)
God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute as a sermon illustration.
Their children’s names become reflect the consequences of cheating on God.
She remains unfaithful in their marriage, and Hosea pulls away for a time.
But now he must go back to his cheating wife, and help restore her.
First of all, this is shocking, could you imagine it happening today?
But what is also shocking is that we are not disturbed by our unfaithfulness.
We cheat on God all the time, sharing our devotion to Him with other things.
God is the source of our blessings, but we use them for Baal (2:8).
If my life is a partnership with God, I often fail to show up.
God’s point is that this is as shocking as an unfaithful spouse.
There are very few people that keep on loving their cheating partner.
Yet God still loves us: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
God continues to show His love for us, though we continue to cheat.
He keeps fighting for us, to rescue and restore us from our cheating hearts.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I admit that my devotion to You is poor, compared to Your patient love for me. Please don’t give up on me, and help me not to give up on You!