Unfaithful Israel, Faithful God

Sometimes I, like the prophet Hosea*, shake my head over the spiritual prostitutes I'm connected with. 
How can they leave a God who loves them and has never done them wrong? 
How can they treat His grace as if it didn't matter? as if it didn't cost Him His life? 

And then a startling realization punches me in the chest: I am that prostitute. I have a faithful God who loves me, cherishes me, begs me to come. Despite His undeniable love for me-- a love beyond my wildest dreams!-- I often choose other lovers, such as love of pleasure, love of self, love of the things of this world. Yet God does not give up on me. 

He is ready and waiting for me to come back. 

I am just like Israel. Loudly exclaiming, "All that you say we will do!" Then, when a moment of decision comes, I falter. I fail. It is not God who fails. He is Love. 

And Love NEVER fails.

But in my pride to "do it myself," I refuse the privilege of His freely-offered strength. 

Though oftentimes I deny Him of the ability to help me, He still wants to.
That fact alone never ceases to amaze me. 

Praise God, He sees the motives of our hearts. He knows whether we accidentally fell or whether we purposely jumped off a cliff. He knows whether we failed when slipping into the habits of the "old man" of sin, or whether we sinned intentionally, boasting a "bet-you-won't-still-love-me-now" attitude. He recognizes the intentions, the design, of the heart.

God knows we can't do it on our own, but He knows that He can do it-- with our cooperation.


"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."
II Thessalonians 5:23-24

* For more information, see the book of Hosea. Hosea was a prophet of ancient Israel whom God called to marry a prostitute named Gomer. This experience brought him to a better realization of what God was going through with HIS unfaithful bride, Israel. Though God loved His people, they left His side for others countless times. He still remained faithful. No matter how many times we have left God's side, or how many years we've wasted, He remains faithful.
He desperately wants us back.