PURSUIT OF LOVE
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)
God calls the people of Israel to be His bride despite her unfaithfulness and promises to restore her. His love isn’t based on our worthiness but on His faithfulness. Hosea was a prophet God sent to remind the Israelites that despite their continual rebellion in following false gods, God is faithful in His pursuit of them.
The idea that God is saying I am putting you, as My people, in priority above others and declaring My faithful and unending love to you is profound and should cause us to reflect with humility. Do you sense this focused, intentional love of God for us? Do you know that God is for you in this way?
Just as God pursued Israel, He pursues you – even when you wander from Him. He invites you into a covenant that’s not dependent on your value or worthiness, but instead, His covenant is based on His faithfulness and worth. It’s a covenant that God refuses to break.
APPLICATION: Have you ever felt unworthy of God’s love? Take a moment and ask God to remind you of His love for you. His love is freely given, not earned. Rest in the truth that God pursues you out of overflowing love for you, not because of what you’ve done or failed to do.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for loving me even when I fall short. Your love is faithful and unwavering. Help me receive it fully and walk in the confidence that I am pursued, cherished and chosen by You. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?