Press On To Know the Lord

Today's Reading: Hosea 1-7

Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6: 3 NRSV

How hopeful and reassuring! God will appear, God will come to us, and all we have to do is keep on moving toward God. As sure as we are about the dawn and about rain in the spring, we can be confident in God's presence in our lives.

Things didn't seem so hopeful in Hosea's day. In fact, God asked to Hosea to marry an unfaithful wife so that their marriage would be a living likeness of God's relationship with the Hebrew people. God saw the people's worship of other gods to be like adultery.  God was then honor-bound to reject the people, just as Hosea was allowed to throw his own wife out the door. Yet, Hosea still has mercy on his wife and still desired a healthy relationship with her. God, too, desired a healthy relationship with the people.

And God desires a close and healthy relationship with us.

God, thank you for continuing to pursue us even when we are vile and hurtful. May your mercy fall on us and refresh us, giving us new life and hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims