Then the Lord said, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel.” Hosea 3:1 

Romantic illusions about love can lead us to make poor decisions.  They usually have more to do with how we are loved rather than than how we will extend love.  The first requires nothing of us except to be open to receive ~ but the second has everything to do with our will.   

God tampers with all of these notions and broadens the meaning of love. Hosea is told to go and find his wife.  She is, at this point, committing adultery.  He is told to love her, an act of choice, an act of the will. “We’re not in love anymore” isn’t valid ground for desertion even though it may be a painful reality. The demise of a relationship wrongly assumes that love is something beyond or outside of my will. 

How does a person find the strength to love the unlovely? By connecting to the One who loved us when we were unlovely.  He showed us how. The most important phrase of Hosea 3:1 is “even as”. The comprehensive message of Hosea is that God loved Israel even though she was often unfaithful. 

Here’s the stunning truth about how God loves. He loved me when 

I wasn’t faintly interested in loving Him back. 

He was faithful to me when He was my last consideration. 

He wooed me when I was barely listening. 

He sent daily provisions when I used them to fund a vacation from Him. “

Even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This is the essence of the Gospel. 

I do not know what today may hold. My heart is bent toward God but I won’t do it all right. My heart will sin many times over. I rejoice in Him, even now, because I know that even in my infidelity, Abba’s love will not waver.  

Who can I love today, “even though _________”?  Holy Spirit, enable me. In Jesus’ name, Amen