“Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us, on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence." (Hosea 6:1-2)
God called Hosea the prophet to demonstrate unconditional love in his marriage. Gomer, Hosea’s wife was unfaithful to their marriage, yet Hosea continued to love her. He even bought her back from prostitution (See glimpses of that story in Hosea 1 & 3).
In this sad, yet godly story, we see both God's right judgment and His unconditional love. God uses Hosea’s life story as a picture of His just and loving relationship with His people Israel while also serving as a reminder of God’s just and loving relationship with people even today.
The sinfulness of mankind and the sinfulness of us individually is serious business; its damage and pain run deep. God does not close His eyes to our sin nor shield us from its consequences. Yet, He pursues a connection with us sinners, offering forgiveness and renewal. God's love does not completely erase sin’s brokenness, but it does set us on a new trajectory. He calls us to healing, to following Him, to renewal and to life in His presenc We take hold of God's love when we trust Jesus as the One who rescues us. He died for us, purchasing our forgiveness and showing God's unconditional love even more dramatically than Hosea. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Question: Have you turned from your sin to receive God’s unconditional love in Jesus?
Challenge: We are never beyond the reach of God's love, never!
Prayer: God, I humbly come before you to receive your love and walk a new path.
Dude Garrett, Chapel Leader -- Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks
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