Most people like to read a juicy love story once in awhile. We cuddle up in our favorite chair, tune out the world, and expect all the elements of a great plot; passion, intrigue, betrayal, murder. Let me tell you... the book entitled Hosea in the Bible does not disappoint. Within the first few sentences God speaks a very hard word to this budding young prophet. "Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry, for the land commits great whoredom by departing from the Lord."
And the plot thickens.
This squeaky clean messenger of God obeys the command and marries a beautiful woman named Gomer who sells herself to men for pleasure and profit. The young preacher falls in love with her, cares for her, protects her, and even raises her illegitimate children but they don't live happily ever after. The wayward wife continues her life as a prostitute ignoring the love of her husband and his God. In a fit of rage, the prophet eventually throws her out. Unlike today's best sellers that promote anger and revenge God had a different plan for this heartbroken family. He instructs Hosea to forgive Gomer and take her back. Not just one time, but over and over again. God wanted to demonstrate His message of repentance, love, and forgiveness to the unfaithful people of Israel through the living testimony of one faithful man.
Many times the people we are closest to hurt us the most. The sting of a parent's abandonment, the rejection of a spouse, the broken promise of a friend, the disappointment of a drug addicted child, the abuse..... Forgiving someone who wronged us is probably the hardest thing God asks us to do. Luckily, Jesus left us with a formula to help us navigate the process. "But to you who are listening I say: LOVE your enemies, DO GOOD to those who hate you, BLESS THOSE who curse you, PRAY for those who mistreat you." He goes on to say, "forgive others, just as your Father forgives you."
Hosea was not a sinless man, he was an obedient man. God still uses willing men and women to showcase His mercy to an unrepentant world. Our Savior has not changed. His desire is to pour His love into empty, broken lives through us. God forgives each of us freely then gives us the key for our emotional health: forgive others. When we decide to live out the process we become a prophetic message to our family, friends, and co-workers. Like Hosea, if we really listen to God, his desire is not always to take us out of messy relationships but instead our call is to live lives of love, faithfulness, and forgiveness.
Let God make your life a living testimony
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