Satisfaction

I'm reading through Hosea right now and it's really convicting me to change some things - okay, a lot of things. But I'm taking it one step at a time, starting with addressing the issue of chasing after other lovers - lovers that aren't God. This is a central issue in the book of Hosea, which is about Israel straying from God and being unfaithful to Him. Israel goes after her lovers yet completely abandons God. When I think about this illustration, I am struck by how similar I am to Israel...and just how badly I need to stop chasing.

It's not that I abandon God and seek a life far from Him...but at times, I forget He's the most important in my life. I am prone to looking for acceptance and satisfaction in the people that surround me - earthly lovers - instead of in my Heavenly Lover. This becomes a problem when people let me down or don't respond the way I want them to. And it's an even greater problem because I put other things above God.

Hosea has been a great reminder of just how loving God is. Despite Israel's sin, He woos her back and promises her a satisfied life - away from the lovers she chases but is never happy with. God knows that we will only be filled by Him, and He extends that love to us freely and without abandon.

"I will betroth you to me forever, I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord."

- Hosea 2:19-20