Your love is like the morning mist and like the early dew that vanishes.
Hosea 6:4b
The book of Hosea is about a prophet who is given a very difficult assignment—an ancient reality show to remind God’s rebellious, self-centered people of His love. The Lord tells Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute, knowing in advance that she would be unfaithful to him. And then, when Gomer leaves Hosea to resume her sinful lifestyle, despite his love and care for her, God tells him to go after her and bring her back. In fact, he is to buy her back from those she’s indebted herself to.
Fickle, Conditional Commitment:
Although Hosea’s story is directed at the Israelites, God’s love for us is no different—nor is the condition of our hearts today. He purchased us by the blood of Christ—the ultimate sacrifice—and yet we easily forget until we are desperate for His intervention and blessings. A health scare, financial crisis, or relationship struggle, and we call out to Him to save us.
But once the crisis is over, we tend to fall back into old patterns of behavior whether it’s rooted in apathy, busyness, or taking the Lord’s love for granted. We no longer seek Him first and foremost until the next crisis strikes, then we are reminded how much we need Him once again.
Emotional High Versus Lasting Roots:
For most of us, there are times we experience spiritual highs. They can be brought on by moving worship music, a powerful sermon, or a weekend retreat like Women of Joy. In those moments, it’s easy to raise our hands to the One who gave us life, to praise His holy name, and remember the extent of His love. But then when those highs fade, so does our worship, and it’s back to business as usual.
Faith isn’t just a feeling—it’s a disciplined rhythm of obedience no matter our circumstances or mood. It’s a day by day walk with Jesus through both the highs and lows. Those emotional highs can be like the rocky soil in the parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13:5-6. “Other seed fell on rocky ground where it didn’t have much soil, and it grew up quickly since the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.” How then are we different to these non-believers in Jesus’ example?
Checking Religious Boxes:
We can attend church every Sunday and Wednesday, read our Bible daily, give our tithes and think we’ve checked all the necessary boxes. But in Hosea 6:6, the Lord says, “I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” What is the root of our works? Are they driven by love or duty? Is attending church a discipline born out of habit or do we have a driving need to worship the Lord with others? Do we give only what will satisfy “the law” or are we giving from a heart of joy?
Comfort-Zone Faithfulness:
The Lord asks us to walk in obedience to His Word. Most of us can confidently say that we keep the Ten Commandments. We don’t steal, murder, or commit adultery. But Jesus tells us in His Sermon on the Mount, “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment…” That’s quite a bitter pill to swallow.
To truly follow the Lord is to do so even when His word contradicts our personal desires. We are told to be bold for Christ—to live lives of holiness in a culture that promotes and celebrates sin. We are to be united as one body, loving the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength (Mark 12:30) even when the message is uncomfortable or the worship music isn’t to our liking.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times when we respond to Your incredible, merciful, and infinite love with shallowness and self-centered attitudes. Help us to see where we fail You, and by Your Spirit, help us to do better. May we offer sacrificial love back to You in everything we do.
