Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea. It will come to pass, in that place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” it will be said, “You are the sons of the living God.” Hosea 1:10 

The nation of Israel was under God’s displeasure. They were walking in disobedience and God got creative in the methods He used for getting a message to His people.  He told Hosea to marry a prostitute. Then, God named each of Hosea’s three children with names that bore a targeted message. 1.) I will crush your fighting strength because you have forsaken Me. 2.) You will experience me as a God who has run out of mercy, so long as you fail to repent. 3.) Your rejection of Me will cause others to say that I am not your God.

 Each one was a tragic word which should have grieved the hearts of each Israelite but they continued to walk in perverted paths.  In spite of this, God followed up these messages with an additional one that began with the word “yet”. In that turn of a phrase, the message of salvation and redemption flowed from the mouth of a heartbroken Father. 

This three-letter word, ‘yet’, can still be heard as God expresses Himself in the New Covenant. 

You may not love Me, yet My love for you is unchanged. 

You may not search for Me, yet I pursue you and keep calling you by name. 

You may be chasing after other gods, yet I will keep sending my messengers to you, reminding you to come to me. 

You may believe that your sin has disqualified you from a real future, yet I have one waiting for you to claim after tears of repentance.

“Yet” is indicative of a value system that is other-worldly. We don’t experience it much here on Earth.  God wants us to know that we are citizens of His kingdom. What we really deserve is withheld when we repent of our sins. What we have not earned is freely given by a God who delights in being extravagant. 

I have failed so many times to love You, yet You loved me anyway. Your message still lives to the Israelites still lives.  For me, for my family, and for the land of Israel who does not yet acknowledge Your Son.  There is no greater love.  In Jesus name, Amen