He loves us still

A pull quote from DaySpring contributing writer Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young that reads,

When I received news that our women’s Bible study group at church was going to study the book of Hosea, my spirit sunk. Something inside me wanted to run as far and as fast as I could away from this assignment.  

I have avoided the prophetic book of Hosea for years—mostly because of its subject matter. The book of Hosea is a love story, but it’s no fun rom-com. 

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @DaySpringCards.

The astonishing story is of the prophet Hosea, whom God told to marry a prostitute named Gomer and have children with her. Hosea lived in the tragic final days of the northern kingdom of Israel when the people were worshiping Baal instead of God.  

At first, I didn’t think this book had any application for me. My pride told me I was different from Gomer. I couldn’t relate to her circumstances and her lifestyle choices.  

I soon discovered this book is a cautionary tale for you and me. The book of Hosea is a parable of God’s covenant love for his wandering and unfaithful people. While you and I might not be involved in literal prostitution or idol worship, we need to examine what steals our attention and redirects our affection.   

Do we devote more time to work, shopping, social media? Does our affection too often turn to people-pleasing or striving? Do we trust God for our salvation, but not for our satisfaction? 

As I’ve lingered in the details of this prophetic book, I’ve discovered three preposterous and poignant truths that continue to pierce my heart:  

God loves us despite our sin.  

In Hosea chapters one and two, we learn that Hosea and Gomer marry and have children; then she leaves him to hunt for her lovers. The words in Hosea 3:1 are perhaps the most unexpected and tender expression of love. God commands Hosea to “Go, show your love to your wife again…” He doesn’t tell Hosea to wait until Gomer comes groveling. He urges Hosea to become a living example of steadfast love and to reach out while Gomer is living in sin. 

“Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes” (Hosea 3:1 NIV). 

God reclaims us because of His love.  

At God’s word, Hosea goes to buy back his wife. Hosea reclaims Gomer for fifteen shekels of silver plus fifteen shekels worth of barley. She had chosen to become a slave, and Hosea pays for her freedom with thirty shekels. This is the cost, the ransom, for his wife’s life.  

Hosea has every right to be ashamed, angry, even frustrated with the situation, but He obeys God and brings Gomer home to live with him again.  

God will never stop trying to bring us home.  

God considers us His pure, spotless bride. Because of the sacrifice of His son Jesus on the cross, who was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, God sees us through the lens of forgiveness, not our fornication. He pours out mercy, compassion and love again and again. He looks at the posture of our hearts, not the pitfalls of our past. 

My mind returns to an experience more than twenty years ago.  

The light was low in the room. Chairs were set up in a semi-circle. The worship music quieted. Our retreat speaker started by opening the Bible to the gospel of Luke. His voice filled the room as he read the story. He didn’t paraphrase or embellish. He simply read the text word for word: 

“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them” (Luke 7:37-38 NIV).  

I couldn’t control myself. My knees buckled. I fell to the ground, my face to the floor. I was a mess of tears and hair. In the depths of my heart, I was that sinful woman. And in that moment, I poured out my heartache at Jesus’ feet. That night I surrendered my fear, control, guilt and shame. 

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:48 NIV).  

The words washed over me, like a waterfall of mercy and grace. Forgiveness. She had chosen repentance. He chose to forgive her. And that made all the difference. Those words were a public declaration of His unconditional love and acceptance of that woman. Of me and you. 

Like Gomer and the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair, we are broken women, prone to wander. Yet God loves us still. 

A black and white portrait of DaySpring contributing author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young.

Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young is a published author, speaker, mentor and co-host of the Hear Women podcast. She delights in coaching speakers and writers to find their unique voices and to flourish in their God-given callings. A remarried widow, she loves to go on travel adventures with her husband Shawn and three daughters. Connect with her at DorinaGilmore.com.