Yahweh said to me, "Go again, love a woman loved by another, and an adulteress, even as Yahweh loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods, and love cakes of raisins." So I bought her for myself for fifteen pieces of silver and a homer and a half of barley. I said to her, "You shall stay with me many days. You shall not play the prostitute, and you shall not be with any other man. I will also be so toward you." Hosea 3:1'3 WEB.The prophet Hosea was a young man when the Lord told him to marry, so he proposed to a woman named Gomer. They married and had three children together. Though the last two may not have been his. Hosea doesn't go into detail, but they divorced soon after the third child was born. Then Gomer took her adultery to the next level by turning pro and becoming a prostitute.
The entire book of Hosea is a picture of God's people cheating on Him and worshipping other gods like baal. "You shall have no other gods before Me" has always been a problem for His people. They want what they want, and they want it right now.
Some believe that God is a simpleton and doesn't notice their actions. Then, when something doesn't go as planned in their life, they blame Him like it is His fault. This is a two-way relationship: He first loved us (1 John 4:19), but we are to love Him (Matthew 23:37).
Gomer's lust created her problems. She wanted to be with Hosea but with other men as well. Israel wanted to be called God's people but also enjoy the rituals of other gods. Pagan worship often involved sex with cult prostitutes, which appealed to their flesh.
God told Hosea to take Gomer back again, even though she was an adulteress. In the same way, He was giving His people a second chance at being His alone. So Hosea gave all the money he had and made up the rest in barley to buy back his wife, though she had become a prostitute.
God continues to show mercy to us even when we sin beyond our comprehension of redemption. You are never too far gone, but given time, your cheating heart will always tell on you.
After all that Gomer had done, Hosea bought her back. Then he told her that she could no longer live as she had been. This was a fresh start, a new beginning. From now on, you do right by me, and I will do right by you. Though he gave her another chance in their relationship, Hosea watched her closely to see if she would fall back into her old ways (Hosea 3:3).
Our relationship with God is pictured like a marriage all through the Bible. Ezekiel 16:32 speaks of an unfaithful wife who chased after others instead of her husband. It was a picture of His people chasing other gods. Yet, after all of our cheating is done, the Lord will take us back, but He will watch us carefully to see if we turn back to our old ways. How will we act when given another chance at the relationship?
No matter what you have done, God gave His Son Jesus to buy you back with His own precious blood. He can wipe out the past, but then it is our move. Gomer couldn't have her old life and her husband simultaneously. Neither can we live our old life and continue to walk with the Lord. The old has been crucified with Christ. Don't resurrect them.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for giving me another chance when I stumble. I Choose You! Lord, teach me to love You as You love me. Please fill me with Your presence and help me see things through Your eyes. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: For those following the Creation Photography weekly challenges, group leader, Dianna Wyles: Psalm 104:24 "How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. ~ 'Naturally Nature' or 'All God's Creatures' will be our next fun-inspired theme choices so have some fun, take some photos, and get creative. We love to see how you interpret our entertaining themes. Have a fantastic week everyone ~ God bless! Here is the link:
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Yes, amen Lord.
Amen
In Jesus Name Amen.
Father, Thank you for giving us another chance! In Jesus name, Amen!
Amen Lord. Teach me all things. I need to feel Your love Father. Jesus I need You. My life sucks right now. My marriage sucks. My health sucks. My attitude sucks. My faith fails me. I've prayed so long for these things and nothing has changed. It's as if You aren't listening. I feel like praying doesn't work and why wouldn't I ? If I pray for 100 requests and zero happens? You haven't answered very many prayers in past 20 years since my first wife divorced me for another man, a test is suppose to end but this is my life.. I'm just existing. Wasting time. I want to be used by You but can't with all this stuff on me. Where are You God? I'm useless. I'm lonely and frustrated. The troubles of my heart have enlarged but unlike Dsvid You have not delivered me. How long will I go without You answering my prayers. Like my wife treating me according to Your word instead of her selfishness. I even doubt my salvation because it feels like You have abandoned me.
But God... FORGIVE ME MY SINS. I repent all the time. my thoughts and attitudes betray me. My flesh is weak after so many years of struggling without good changes. I don't walk in victory. I don't hear You anymore. Yet I know this has to be because of me not You Lord for You are a good God. Cleanse me and deliver me. Strengthen me Lord by Your Spirit. Refresh me. Heal me so I can be effective for You again. Speak to me do I can hear You again. I need You Jesus! I don't even feel loved by You anymore. Spare me oh God from my iniquities and save me. Pour out Your Spirit upon me, my wife. She loves You.
Bless my wife. Forgive her and heal her chronic pain. Deliver her from her selfishness. Hee bad attitude towards me. Help me walk in live towards her even though it's one sided. Help me be a better husband and servant to her. I know I can't change her and You aren't changing her sinful ways. Help me focus on You Jesus. You are God. My joe is in You even if nothing ever changes. You can do all things. Help me walk in faith not by my feelings or by my sight. Reveal Yourself to me Father, I need a you! I love You Jesus!
In Jesus Christ Name. Amen
Dear Lord Jesus , please help David ❣️the most helpful prayer I ever prayed came after years of custody wars with my abusive ex, I truly didn't have any strength or faith left, I thought about giving up completely more times than I could count, but finally at the end , at the very true end of my rope I heard the still small voice of our dear Lord in the garden as He was praying and sweating blood.
"not my will but thine" it took all my frustration and fear and anger away, I realized right then and there,
If that is what Jesus prayed, that is what I will pray and then when I am crucified with Christ, I will just hold on all the more tightly because it is not my will , but the Father's that matters and when I feel forsaken I am in good company, and some fine day, some truly wonderful day I believe I will see my life resurrected and shiny. But until then I just hang on."I will praise you in the storm"
Amen, Celeste!! (h5) (L)
Lord, I lift David to You. Speak hope into his heart and hold him steadfast in Your love. Give David victory over these struggles, Lord. Pour out Your blessing. Thank you. In the name of Jesus we ask. Amen
WE PRAISE YOU FATHER. AMEN
Amen, Mark!!! (h5)
Hang in there Jesus is coming! He will help you
Father, I join in prayer over David and his wife. I ask for healing and restoration. Soften their hearts toward each other. I pray that David will feel Your comforting presence and peace. Give him strength in these battles. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Oh Lord God, dear Heavenly Father, we lift up Your child David, who really needs You, please let him feel Your prescence, Your compassion and Your peace, rstrenghten him, restore him and fill his heart with joy, please hear all of us as we come to You and beseech you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen and Amen!!! (h5)
Amen
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Thank you, Pastor Dion, for a timely look at love and accountability. Lord, teach me to love as You love. Thank you. Amen
In Lord Yeshua's name I pray this, Amen.
Amen thank you Father for not giving up on me
I choose You, Lord! Thank You for Your forgiveness, Amen.
Yes Lord, I choose You. Thank You for forgiveness and healing in Christ Name I pray, Amen
Wonderful.... brings tears to my eyes, God's unending merciful Love.
I love you God Amen
Amen!! Alleluia!! Amen!! Amen!!
Amen!
Amen and Amen!!! (h5)
Amen!