Hosea 2

Wow – Hosea 2 is pretty in your face discussion about the relationship between God and Israel.  He reminds the people that they have really mistreated God – they have turned their back on His love and provision and sought their own ways.  They have accumulated stuff by their selfish ways and there is a price to be paid.  But in the end – God never gives up on them.  God pursues His people always.  He wants them, and us, to come back to Him.  He wants a forever relationship.  I love how the Message puts it in verse 19: “I’ll marry you for good – forever”.  God desires that we are in right relationship with Him day by day and moment by moment.  He is anxious to bless us and be front and center in our lives.  Oh how we miss the mark sometimes with that.  We allow the things of this world and the love of self to get in the way and push God out.  We focus on getting all the stuff the world shows us.  We dig our own hole and fall into it by failing to stay focused on the Father.  I love how this version expresses God’s ability to save us from ourselves.  “I’ll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope”.  Are you living in Heartbreak Valley?  Is your life all messed up and full of struggle and problems.  Do you feel hopeless?  God wants to change that and turn our lives into Acres of Hope.  He wants to come in and make a huge difference for us.  He is standing by, waiting for us to open that door and restore the relationship He so deeply desires.  Are you willing to make Him Lord?  Are you opening the door to your life?