Daily Meditations for Lent 2006

Mar. 24 - Friday

Hosea 14:2-10

Readings

In Hosea’s time, more than seven centuries before Christ, the northern kingdom of Israel was locked in a power struggle with the Assyrian empire. For long years, Israel repeatedly put its trust in political solutions and military alliances instead of trusting in God. Making matters worse, they also began to worship false gods, hoping that these idols would make them more prosperous. Thus, they broke their covenant with God and took themselves out from under his protection. Finally, in 726 b.c., Israel was attacked and its capital, Samaria, destroyed after a three-year siege. Against the background of the growing Assyrian threat, the prophet Hosea called Israel to repentance.
At the same time, Hosea himself was married to an unfaithful spouse, Gomer. Yet, instead of choosing to divorce her, he sought her out, forgave her, and in time, won her back. Hosea understood that the drama that was playing out in his personal life—that of a spurned husband wooing back a wayward wife—mirrored God’s relationship with fickle Israel: He would chastise his people and woo them back, ultimately forgiving all their sins.

Just as God promised to heal Israel’s faithlessness (Hosea 14:4), he is always ready to restore our relationship with him when we have broken it by our sin. Just think: He is faithful even when we are unfaithful! He loves us unconditionally and freely! God never gives up on a single one of his people. He never withholds his love from the undeserving. He never thinks anyone is too far gone or beyond his power to heal and save.

Hosea didn’t give up hope that his wife would return to him, or that the Lord would reach down to lead his people back to himself. Despite both Israel’s and Gomer’s unfaithfulness, Hosea dared to pray with great confidence, trusting in God’s compassion, love, and mercy. Hosea’s example encourages us to pray confidently for the people and situations God has put on our hearts. Let’s take up the call to be ministers of God’s love in our intercession. It’s amazing what God can do through our prayers, especially when we place radical faith in him!

“How faithful you are to us, Father! Your compassion is limitless. No sin is too great for you to forgive it, no relationship so broken that you cannot heal it. Show us your mercy, Lord!”

posted by Thomas Cagurangan @ 8:57 PM