Unending Mercy

As I studied the book of Hosea recently, I was strongly impressed by how great the mercy of God is. The story gives us a picture of a forgiving husband. One that loved his unfaithful bride enough to not just stay with her but go after her when she left her home behind for another lover.

Hosea 2:5, 8 their mother has been unfaithful and has conceived them in disgrace. She said, "I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink"... She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold - which they used for Baal.

Gomer was unfaithful, not only to her husband, but to her children. She thought not of those who loved her and the harm she would cause them, but of herself instead. She went after her lovers, thinking they could provide her with the luxury and pleasure she desired. She was selfish, looking for only her desires to be fulfilled.

But what happened to Gomer, is what often happens to us when we chase after pleasure. The more she chased after pleasure and material wealth, the more illusive it becomes. A man who desires a temptress like Gomer will soon tire of her and throw her aside. Each time she chases after another lover, the level of riches decreases until instead of driving a Mercedes and wearing mink, she’s on foot and pulling things out of the trash heap.

God, just like Hosea is a faithful husband and we just like Gomer are an unfaithful, adulteress bride. How often we chase things we shouldn't and end up like Gomer looking to other things to make us happy. How often we look to the things around us for pleasure only to be left unfulfilled and empty inside.

What amazes me is that God never seems to run out of mercy. Unlike Gomer who only needed to be brought home once, I have strayed many times. In my times when I wonder off in the wrong direction, God finds me and brings me back. He watches and waits for me to tire of my wandering. He waits for me to turn back and look his way. Then he picks me up and carries me back home again.

His mercy is unending and I am grateful.