02.01.08 -- Hosea 1:1 – 3:5

RE:flect
Idolatry = Adultery for God. Consider this. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute, yes this is correct, so that his life (and not just his vocals) would preach a message: Israel is committing adultery by trusting in other gods. God looks at his relationship with Israel as a marriage. And the New Testament asks the church of Jesus (you!) to remain pure and awaiting the groom(Jesus).

RE:act
I have often thought of the friction of God's love and God's will. For instance, if a spouse has an affair, Jesus says the other spouse can end the marriage. So, we understand God's will here. But look again into the heart of God? Again and again Israel cheats on God and he accepts them back. Isn't that something? Is this what God's kind of love might require? Does it mean when you have the right to reject, divorce, walk away... BUT you choose to forgive, accept and continue?

RE:ply
Lord, teach us to love. Help us to remain pure for you. Be our God... our love!
Lord, protect out hearts to desire you, to look to you, to never look to replace you in our lives.
Lord, I want to be like you. I want to be what you want me to be...where ever that leads.
Lord, prepare me for the road you are calling me to walk down.

"Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out:
“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,for the marriage of the Lamb has come,and his Bride [THE CHURCH] has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints"
Revelation 19:6-8