Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:23 (NIV)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why is it that we hold faithfulness in a marriage covenant in such high regard, and yet in our covenant with God we often adulterate ourselves?
We doubt God's love and begin looking elsewhere for satisfaction in life. We get frustrated when our prayers aren't answered the way we want, and we walk away to search for our own solution. We simply want to do what we want to do, and turn our back on God's ways for the ways of the world.
So who's the faithless one in our covenant with God -- Him or us? And why is that unfaithfulness acceptable to us, when in the world, we bash the man or woman who tarnishes their wedding vows? It's a double standard, really.
The truth is that we're all adulterers in our relationship with God. We all let our eyes stray and our hearts fall for worldly temptations, sooner or later. We all want what we want when we want it, and we tamper with the world's bait. If you think you haven't, you better look again.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. ~ Isaiah 53:6 (The Msg)
We have an amazing God who, despite our waywardness, remains faithful to His people, His children. We constantly test the boundaries of our covenant relationship with Him, and yet His mercies on us are new every morning. Wow. Do we really comprehend the gift of love that He gives to those who believe in Him?
The story of Hosea in the Old Testament is God's picture to His people of the pursuing love He has for them, of the mercies and faithfulness that He continually offers His children...
When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD." So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. ~ Hosea 1:2-3 (NIV)
The LORD said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes." ~ Hosea 3:1 (NIV)
We are like Gomer, in all her foolish rebellion and lustful wandering. Hosea is the picture of God, who seeks us out and loves us despite our unfaithfulness. His faithfulness is our rescue. His love is our salvation. His mercy is our redemption.
Our God is an awesome God, and we must never forget it! Who He is and how He shows His character to us is the most amazing display of covenant relationship we could ever witness! Thank Him today for His pursuing love, His undying faithfulness, His fresh mercies. They are new, for you and for me, every day...forever.
Love,
Joelene
No comments:
Post a Comment