She Reads Truth: HoseaSample

Hosea 4 | Romans 3:9-27

As I read Hosea 4, my lips and heart grow silent. The image of Israel’s spiritual adultery is sobering to say the least.

Part of me recoils at the dark and difficult language of Hosea, and yet how much more painful must it be for the God of heaven - creator, sustainer and lover of Israel - to watch His people choose path after path of destruction? His bride and His children quite literally running away?

The Father grieves as Israel gives their hearts to that which destroys them. He grieves as they run. He would be just to punish their sin in full, to give up and walk away. And yet He pursues them still.

He pursues us still.

The chasm of sin grows wider and we run faster, but our God changes not. He is still sovereign, even as we flee.

God does not force Israel to stay, for forcing is not the way of Love. In fact, Hosea 4 paints the tragic picture of what it would look like for the Lord to end His pursuit of Israel, for Him to leave them to the sin that would surely destroy them. “Ephraim is joined to idols,” says verse 17. “Leave him alone.” (ESV)

Sisters, let us praise God today that He does not walk away when we run.

We are sinful. He is steadfast.

We are fearful. He is faithful.

We are broken. He binds up.

We cherish idols. He cherishes us.

His love and affection toward us do not change, no matter the depth of our sin.

Let us repent and rejoice in light of this truth today. Let us thank Him for allowing us to turn and to return to Him.

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