Unconditional love

"I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as Lord." Hosea 2:20

The story of Hosea and Gomer, while very short, has always been fascinating to me. At first, it appears to be the ultimate story of unconditional love. Time after time, Gomer is unfaithful. And each and every time Hosea is obedient to the Lord's instruction and brings her home. Despite feeling ashamed and betrayed, he loves her nonetheless. Such an amazing story of love and grace.

But what is most fascinating to me is the parallel between Hosea and Gomer and us and God. I am, we all are, sinful by nature. (Psalm 51:5) And just as Gomer was unfaithful, we are unfaithful to the Lord. We run from Him, we are disobedient to His commands. How many times have we caused him grief because of our poor choices? Countless times. Gomer's unfaithfulness went on for YEARS, to the point where she was no longer considered attractive. In the same way, our sin can go on for so long that it creates an ugliness in our souls. We feel like we are not deserving of love and forgiveness. But even at Gomer's absolute ugliest point, Hosea STILL took her back. He took her home and they restored their relationship, and he asked her to be intimate with him alone. Can you imagine what an overwhelming act of love and forgiveness that was? How many of us could do the same? Not only was Hosea's love demonstrative for God's love for Israel, but it is a perfect example of His love for us NOW. God loved His chosen people, and He loves us. We continually break His heart, but He loves us regardless. Even at our lowest, ugliest point when we can't even forgive ourselves.....He forgives us without question. That doesn't necessarily mean our actions come without consequences, but what is most important is that He loves us NO MATTER WHAT. Romans 8:39 says, "No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Nothing can separate us from His love! NOTHING! And the most beautiful thing is when we do sin, we have received the free gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ! 1 John 1:9 says, "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." We are forgiven for our sins and they are gone forever! ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)


I am so thankful that God loves me through my imperfections....always!