So often I attribute my happiness to the idols that I worship: To romance, to men, to love itself.
God is a jealous God. And like a jealous husband, He will not tolerate a wandering eye. Not because He is petty and possessive; but because He purchased us with His own blood and knows that accepting Him leads to life.
I am done for when a guy that I like opens a door for me, or says clever things to me, or gives me a helping hand with the things I’m carrying.
But God whispers,
“And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.” Hosea 2:8 ESV
While my mind is full of others, He is continually showing me His love and wanting me to acknowledge Him before all others.
I watch a romantic TV series over and over again to absorb the feelings it gives me, thinking that it will satisfy me, but I am left feeling lonely after it ends.
God keeps drawing my mind to His love story that He wrote, coaxing me to read it. For when I read His words, He knows it will bring peace, it sheds light in the darkness, and my heart will soften toward Him.
I won’t find what I’m looking for in a man. I will find what I’m looking for in Jesus.
“She shall pursue her lovers but not overtake them, and she shall seek them but shall not find them. Then she shall say, 'I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now.'” Hosea 2:7 ESV
It’s better with Him.
I am single. I want to be married—most people, if they are truthful, want this because man was not designed to be alone. Yet there are so many failing marriages around me that make me despair: is there no man who is faithful?
“And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.” Hosea 2:19 ESV
He is faithful. He has, is, and will always be faithful. He doesn’t break His covenant. We do. And he welcomes us back with open arms and changes our soiled, dirty clothes and gives us new ones. His love makes us pure again.
“And the angel said to those who were standing before him, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And to him he said, "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments."” Zechariah 3:4 ESV
The greatest mystery of all is why God would show this kind of mercy.
“...and I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, 'You are my people'; and he shall say, 'You are my God.'"” Hosea 2:23 ESV
I answered His call and said, “You are my God.” But I need to do it again.
I need to be reminded over and over and over, that He is my first love. I should sing His praises. I should tell others about my love for Him. I should delight in Him and see His beauty. And I should remember what He has done for me and who I am because of Him.
Jesus... I choose you.
