Unconditional Love

In recent weeks, I have often found myself thinking about or reading about prophets of Biblical times.  It has struck me how really hard their lives were.  They were often condemned and outcast.  Their messages were hard and did not follow popular opinion.  Truly there was nothing that was not touched by the very difficult task they were assigned. Hosea is case and point.  God told him to marry a women who would not be faithful. He was to be an example of God's relationship with Israel.  The story is gut wrenching as Hosea perseveres his very difficult marriage with even his children being names according to what God was teaching the people through him.

There are so many stories in the Bible that fit perfectly with where our world is today.  The world still often scoffs and outcast those who speak the truth of God's Word. It is not pretty and fluffy. It is hard.  The world and the enemy make it confusing with all the lies.  But there is hope!

If you read the difficult story of Hosea, then you find a story of unconditional love. Not just of Hosea to his wife but of God to His people!  Praise Him!  He has not given up on us. He is ever faithful and beckoning us to be His faithful bride.

"And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy." Hosea 2:19

It breaks my heart to think of how we break the heart of the Lord our God. He has done so much for us and yet we turn our backs.  Yet. . .He is still there for us.  The picture of unconditional love.

It is not easy and, in fact, I think it is often very hard.  But the power of our God is unimaginable. There is nothing He cannot do.  Not sure of this, then ask yourself.  Why were prophets, like Hosea, willing to do what they did?  The Lord had not only given them an incredibly hard job. . .He gave them all they needed to do the job. I have no doubt that they KNEW that God is able and willing!!!! They knew God!  The question is . . .do we know God? Are we willing to obey even when it is not popular or even makes us outcast?

Say yes, to God who created you and loves you.  Then if you dare, read Hosea.  Fall upon your face and worship God!  Make it an amazing day in your relationship with the Lord! He is waiting. . .

 

Forgiving, Forgiving and Forgiving

When I write these post, often times I write because I need the lesson myself. Writing causes me to reflect on what I know to be true and then compare it with what God says about it.  It seems that I have a hard time learning many of the important lessons necessary as a part of sanctification.

One such lesson is forgiveness. For the most part, I can handle forgiving someone. Problem is that it doesn't stop there.  I have found that often times we must forgive time and time again.  Not because we haven't forgiven that initial mistake or hurt that was caused us but because that person (being human) often repeats the same or similar hurt. Being human myself, it is hard to understand why you would do that when you know it hurts someone you love.  Oh, if only it were that simple.  I am no physiologist so I must just declare that there are some things I will not understand this side of heaven. Plus I am sure that same person who hurt me, I often hurt as well.

What I have learned it that I must forgive! Again and again and again if necessary.  Otherwise the pain of dealing with the hurt caused will rip me apart.  I think this is why there are so many verses in the Bible on forgiveness and why God felt it so important for us to do. He knew how much lack of forgiveness could destroy us (most importantly) our relationship with Him.

Probably a most known verse is,  "Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven."Matthew 18:21-22  These verse tells us that our forgiveness should be limitless. WOW! I love when God's Word washes over me anew.  So everyday, as many times a day as necessary, I must forgive.  Now I know (and I am speaking this to myself) that we don't always want to forgive and it is easy to think that the forgiveness is solely for the person we are forgiving. Not true.  In Matthew 6:14-15 scripture says, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

I have also noted that living with an unforgiving heart causes other sins.  How about anger, bitterness, hate and the list goes on. Still it boils down to how difficult it is to forgive.  Fortunately, our Savior was gracious enough to even provide for that.  He says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30.

Our rest must be found in Him! He is the only way that we can forgive, forgive, forgive, forgive. . . . Isn't it fitting that the one that provided forgiveness for our sins also teaches us to forgive.  Hope this speaks to you as it has me. Blessings to you.