READING: Hosea 1-5
“. . . just as the Lord loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods.”
Hosea 3:1
Today, I can’t help but think about songs of God’s love – particularly songs I’ve learned over the many years I’ve been a believer. Many are old, but still I can sing them today (and I hope you follow the links and sing some, too):
- “Oh, How He Loves You and Me”
- “The Love of God”
- “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”
- “His Banner over Me is Love”
- “Love Lifted Me”
I think about these songs because I’ve read today about God’s deep love for adulterous Israel. Pictured via God’s word to Hosea to take again his adulterous wife, Gomer, His love for us is seriously beyond our comprehension: “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes’” (Hos. 3:1). God’s people had over and over again turned to false gods and useless religious rituals, but still God was pursuing them. They, in fact, even “loved” raisin cakes (apparently used in some type of pagan rite) with a faulty love, but still God loved them with a steadfast, covenantal love.
He loves me, too, even though I’ve at times neglected His love and chased my own idols through the years. He has never given up on me, and His love has indeed lifted me many times. I pray that’s the same for you today.
ACTION STEPS:
- If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus, I encourage you to turn to Him in prayer, confess your sin, and turn from your own wrong.
- Sing songs of God’s gracious love all day long today.
PRAYER: “God, I love You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Hosea 6-9
