Being unfaithful is not something that happens without consequences.
Some of those are clearly self-inflicted. There are things, however that is down to how the betrayed lover responds to the infidelity. This is where the character of God shines through with brilliance.
I will make you my wife forever,
showing you righteousness and justice,
unfailing love and compassion.
I will be faithful to you and make you mine,
and you will finally know me as the Lord. (Hosea 2:19-20 NLT)
The nature of God is one that keeps going with His covenant responsibility. He does so in the pain of the consequences that His loved one has to face. He does so with the assurance that however bad things get, there will be brighter days ahead. The relationship He desires will be realised. Not out of a sense that the loved one will just turn out to be brilliant, but they will acknowledge and once more totally depend on the source of true love and righteousness.
Recognising this is a message of hope especially for the devastation that the Northern Kingdom of Israel were about to experience. This capacity for love should also be indicative of what those who follow on the path He sets should look forward to expressing. They should appreciate the ability depending on God to express the faithfulness He knows is possible.
But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of his goodness. (Hosea 3:5 NLT)
This word is particularly worthy f noting because there is the promise here of a King. A King in the line of their great King David. a King also that will lead them in being devoted to God. The narrative of the people of Israel was that from the start of their desire of monarchy, it was not with pleasing God in mind. yet now god would still ensure a true King would reach the throne and rule with the focus of God in mind.
That promise of a King hints at Someone that I believe has come and embodied that rule of righteousness. That promise of a King now inspires us who were not a people and didn’t have mercy to now be a part of God’s people and receive His mercy just as Peter the apostle would indicate. All this to be experienced due to the faithfulness of God.
No, I will not unleash my fierce anger.
I will not completely destroy Israel,
for I am God and not a mere mortal.
I am the Holy One living among you,
and I will not come to destroy.
For someday the people will follow me. (Hosea 11:9-10)
The faithfulness of God, His ongoing commitment to reveal His kindness and goodness to His people is in the understanding that the relationship He longs for will be realised. There is hope for redemption however far the infidelity and rebellion takes His loved one. That message has so much to offer for those who are looking for a relationship that is solid and founded on something more than expecting before delivering. The love of God delivers all the time.
The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
my love will know no bounds,
for my anger will be gone forever.
I will be to Israel
like a refreshing dew from heaven.
Israel will blossom like the lily;
it will send roots deep into the soil
like the cedars in Lebanon. (Hosea 14:4-5)
Those privileged to engage in the relationship and becoming beneficiaries of this have something awesome to look forward to and something incredible to value in the here and now.
(Photo by Wilson Sánchez on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 