A Strong Love in the Same Direction: His Love

Hosea 3:1–5; 11:1–11

The book of Hosea teaches us about God’s strong love for Israel, even when they keep doing wrong. Although they don’t say sorry, God’s love doesn’t waver and He promises to keep them safe in their homes. This story also highlights our own search for love and how God’s love can change us in ways that human love just can’t.

1. The depth of his love

Just like kids don’t fully grasp how much their parents love them, we often don’t understand the depth of God’s love because we’re spiritually immature. We might question God’s actions and doubt His love, but our understanding is limited. It’s important that we trust in God’s wisdom, knowing that He’s turning our struggles into victories and showing His deep and complex love for us.

2. The personal nature of his love

God’s love is not only deep and complex, it’s also very personal. The story of Hosea and Gomer shows us that God’s love goes beyond friendship and connects deeply with our happiness and sadness. Even though God can do anything, He chooses to connect His heart to ours, promising that His happiness is tied to ours. This powerful truth should encourage us to open up to God and others, use our pain for wisdom instead of bitterness, and to love and commit to imperfect people just like God does for us.

3. The sacrifice of his love

Love can be cheap in a broken relationship, through compromise or rejection, but God’s love is expensive, active, and honest, as seen in the story of Hosea and Gomer. This sacrificial love, which paid a price for us, can change us and empower us to make a difference in the world. Remembering how we’ve been changed can help us love others in the same way, putting God’s love first above all else.