Tenderest Love!

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.
The more they were called,
    the more they went away;
they kept sacrificing to the Baals
    and burning offerings to idols.

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk;
    I took them up by their arms,
    but they did not know that I healed them.
I led them with cords of kindness,
    with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
    and I bent down to them and fed them...

My people are bent on turning away from me,
    and though they call out to the Most High,
    he shall not raise them up at all.

How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
    How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
    my compassion grows warm and tender.
I will not execute my burning anger;
    I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
    the Holy One in your midst,
    and I will not come in wrath…
I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.” Hosea 11:1-4,7-9,11c

Could there be a more tender expression of God’s affection for His beloved Israel? This poetic prophesy that follows the real-life example of Hosea pursuing an unworthy, adulterous wife depicts a most merciful, benevolent Savior. He called them, set on Israel His affection when they were enemies of His voice, strangers to His ways, idolaters, thankless, and stubborn. When His holy hands rightfully could have pushed them away in rejection, they gently steadied Israel to walk, drew with cords of kindness, longed to heal, and feed, and satisfy. When in righteous anger He could have destroyed, He mercifully enveloped, and pledged to restore. No man would do this. Only God, who is other, and full of compassion, and perfect. (Hosea 1:2-2:1; 3:1-5)

This same God is still in our midst today, loving sinners. His heart still recoils at wickedness, yet remains afire with grace. His promises are still sure and can be trusted, as can His loving character. Where do we stand as His bride? (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1-5)

Have we been unfaithful to our word by claiming allegiance to Christ, yet flirt with other lovers- idols of this world and alien affections? What false sacrifices do we make that get us nowhere but deceived, frustrated, and unfulfilled? In what situations of stress, vengeance, coveting, or anger do we resist His call to Himself? When will we fully surrender to the Lord’s overwhelming love?

“O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
vast, unmeasured, boundless, free,
rolling as a mighty ocean
in its fullness over me.
Underneath me, all around me,
is the current of Thy love;
leading onward, leading homeward
to Thy glorious rest above.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
love of every love the best;
’tis an ocean vast of blessing,
’tis a haven sweet of rest.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
’tis heav’n of heav’ns to me;
and it lifts me up to glory,
for it lifts me up to Thee.” ~S. Trevor Francis (1834-1925)

Father, help me rest in Your lavish love to remain a grateful, faithful bride.