bits from bob....
Staying In Love!
by Robert J. Young
©, 2001, Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]
Obscure verses are often "Million Dollar" verses. We read too fast, we skip over Scripture, we even ignore large sections of God's Word. This is Old Testament. It takes time, understanding, background. But it has the ability to help us see and appreciate and cultivate love. It speaks to the relationships of life; it is in the context of God's love for Israel pictured through the illustration of marital love.
Here is God's Word about staying in love from Hosea 2:14.
- 1. It takes courting. I am now going to allure her. Simple words. Hosea wants Gomer back. God wants Israel back. God says, "I Myself will go courting." I will entice my people Israel. Some of us are not very enticing. Marriages falter and fail when the romance leaves. We quit courting one another. Staying in love demands courtship.
- 2. Celebrate the memories. Why would God lead Israel back into the desert? What does the wilderness represent in the God/Israel relationship? It represents hardship, but it also represents loving protection. It is memorable for its expression of God's providence and care. The cloudy pillar, the guiding fire, the very presence of love. Love is helped by memories. We have survived together. We have fought the common foe. We have been supporters and encouragers of each other. It is not easy to let all of that go. Love can be built and strengthened when we celebrate the memories.
- 3. Speak tenderly. God says, "I will speak to her heart." If the wilderness represents difficult times, God will not demand that Israel return on His "say-so." His will be no "I told you so" attitude. He will woo his people. He will speak tenderly in hard times. Marriages and relationships are marred because we fail to be understanding and tender. Love remains and reigns where tender words replace harshness.
What is God doing? "I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one'...and they will say, ‘You are my God'" (Hosea 2:23).
We can stay in love! We can build strong homes and strong churches! Will we?
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Last updated November 23, 2001.