UNREQUITED LOVE: HOSEA AND GOMER
Ezekiel 18:31-32 (32) – For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (NIV)
If we want to understand God’s love for mankind, we must know what “unrequited love” is. Unrequited love is a one-sided love that is not openly reciprocated or understood by the person being loved. When we read Hosea 1 to 3, we see the story of unmerited and unrequited love. God told Hosea to “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. So, he married Gomer…” (Hosea 1:2-3). Gomer only knew infatuated love and self-affection, but she didn’t really know what real love meant.
However, Prophet Hosea was following God’s command to marry her, and he continued to love Gomer, who didn’t deserve the love. This reminds us of how God continues to love unworthy people. The world is likened to Gomer. Despite our sins, God’s love for humanity never fades (Romans 5:8). We must reciprocate God’s love for us by loving and honouring Him through our lifestyle.
Love that is not responded to or returned can be so painful. In Hosea 2, Gomer left Hosea for another man to satisfy her lust. She turned away from a man who loved her and said, “I will go after my lovers who give me my oil and drink” (verse 5). This is similar to how our generation and the Church forsake a God who cares very much about us. But the Lord is never pleased when we stray from the path of genuine love and salvation. As seen in our Bible reading, God wants us to repent and live. Examine yourself and if you are like Gomer, return to the Father. He will give you a new life!
PRAYER
Hymn: Softly and Tenderly — Will L. Thompson (1880)
1. Father, I have failed to love and honour You. Please, forgive and restore me to Yourself.
(MIDNIGHT PRAYER)
1. Any power saying they will never let me go until they waste me this year. Scatter by fire!
2. The bread of sorrow and disappointment, baked for my family, the Church and I, dry up!
3. Holy Spirit, baptise me afresh like the day of Pentecost.
YOU SHALL RISE AND SHINE THIS YEAR!
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