bride

I have been reading through a lot of the Old Testament recently, and in doing so, I continue to be amazed by God's love and mercy. Those Israelites certainly tested God's patience. Time and time again they turned away from the Lord only to find death and destruction and oppression. Then, they come back to the Lord with their tails between their legs, pleading for forgiveness, promising to be faithful. And, so they are for a little while. But, then they are drawn away again by something shiny or tasty or something that makes them feel good about themselves...

Not so different from today, eh?

God has been speaking to me, reminding me that He is coming back for a blameless, spotless bride. He is not coming back for a selfish, unforgiving prostitute. I most certainly want to be the former and not the latter.

"Then the Lord said to me, 'Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.' So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and five bushels of barley and a measure of wine. Then I said to her, 'You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution. During this time, you will not have sexual relations with anyone, not even with me.' This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols! But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David's descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of His goodness." ~ Hosea 3:1-5

Come on, Church, let's plan a wedding...