Dear Lighthouse,

            Have you read the book of Hosea lately?  Probably not.  I know we’re reading through the New Testament, but don’t let that stop you from picking up the Old Testament.  There is a wealth of information there about God’s character and His perspective on life.  Take the story of Hosea for instance.  God told the prophet Hosea to go and take a wife - not just any wife - but the prostitute Gomer.  She was as far from a faithful woman as you could get and she continued her ‘career’ even after becoming Hosea’s wife.  The book chronicles his life with Gomer and her adulterous ways.

            Now why would God instruct someone to do this?  It was to make a graphic point to the people of Israel at the time.  They were God’s chosen.  They were His children.  They were in the most intimate of relationships with God.  But they were corrupt.  The nation of Israel was enamored with foreign gods and their sinful practices.  The Jews turned their backs on the one true God and followed idols and their own desires.  God sent Hosea to them to show them the absurdity of their acts in such a bold way that it could not be ignored.  The whole nation saw first hand the unfaithfulness of this man’s wife and Hosea followed up by making clear the illustration to the people.

            Still, the people did not repent.  Ultimately God prophecies were fulfilled.  He told them that if they continued in their ways then Israel would be disciplined.  They continued and were sent into exile.  But you know what the most amazing thing about the story is?  All through the book God tells Hosea to go out and get his wife.  Even after she has committed adultery He instructs him to take her back.  Why?  To again demonstrate what God has done for us.  Amazing!

            I kind of feel bad for Hosea, having to live out this example.  But think of the lesson it teaches.  God so loves us that He is willing to claim us as His even after we stumble and fall and sin.  It is a humbling thought to know that He sent His Son to die for such an unfaithful person as me.  Thought I desperately try to remain loyal to the Master I fail and I sin.  But looking at the lessons from Hosea’s life I see that He is willing to claim me time and time again.  Though I am unfaithful He remains faithfully true to His covenant with me.

            Does that mean we should continue in sin?  If you don’t know the answer to that then you don’t fully understand the relationship with the Father.  Of course we should not continue to sin.  In fact we should constantly keep in mind that our God is a jealous God.  He has paved the way but will not tolerate a prideful arrogance in us that allows us to sin with impunity.  He will discipline, but discipline comes to turn us from our self-destructive paths.  If we would only stop and reflect on His character we would surely return to Him quickly.

            Take a look at these words from Hosea:

“Come, let us return to the Lord.  He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds.  After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us, that we may live in His presence.  Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him.  As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

- Hosea 6:1-3

            These verses teach so much.  I find that in my life when sin comes it destroys the intimacy with the Father.  I am not shut out - no Jesus still died for my sins and saves me - but the joy of intimacy with God is disrupted.  I then long for revival.  And how does it come?  Simple.  I turn back to God.  I think its funny, maybe I’m reading too much into the verses, but I find that in my life it seems to take a couple of days to feel the heat of revival kindled.  By the third day of faithfulness I feel the intimacy restored.  This is probably due to my own weaknesses because from the Word I know that I am instantly restored when I turn to Him because Christ is indeed good enough.  But as a matter of practical advice I encourage you, if you are caught in unfaithfulness, turn to God and wait patiently on His healing to come.  He will surely come to you ‘like the spring rains that water the earth’.

            I encourage you this week to turn to the Father.  Are you behind in your reading of the New Testament?  Turn to His Word and catch up.  Feeling guilty because of your sin that creeps back into your saved life?  Turn to Him in prayer and wait.  If you’re not saved and you are feeling the sting of separation, then turn to Him in obedience and pray for Jesus blood to save you and then get baptized and make Him Lord of your life.  Wrestling with decisions?  Turn to Him for the answers. 

            I am convinced that if we live a life of consistent faithfulness and seek His face we will find guidance, wisdom, and joy in our times of need.  The Lighthouse stands ready to encourage you in your walk with Him.  Join us as we serve together!

Come, let us return to the Lord.

Serving Him with you,

Evan