“The LORD said to me again, ‘Go, show your
love to a woman loved by someone else, who has been unfaithful to you. In the
same way the LORD loves the people of Israel, even though they worship other
gods and love to eat the raisin cakes.’ So I bought her for six ounces of
silver and ten bushels of barley. Then I told her, ‘You must wait for me for
many days. You must not be a prostitute, and you must not have sexual relations
with any other man. I will act the same way toward you.’ In the same way Israel
will live many days without a king or leader, without sacrifices or holy stone
pillars, and without the holy vest or an idol. After this, the people of Israel
will return to the LORD their God and follow him and the king from David's
family. In the last days, they will turn in fear to the LORD, and he will bless
them” (Hosea 3:1-5, NCV).
“Friend
to Friend
True forgiveness always requires
sacrifice on our part – a truth that may often seem unfair in human terms.
After all, we are the ones who have been hurt. Why should we have to sacrifice
anything? Shouldn’t the people who hurt us be the ones who have to make the
first move and offer the biggest sacrifice? True forgiveness – God’s
forgiveness – defies human logic and cannot be explained in human terms. Human
forgiveness is easier but a shallow substitute and cheap imitation for the
amazing power of God’s forgiveness.
Hosea was married to a woman who
hurt and humiliated him. Scripture does not say Gomer ever repented and asked
for Hosea’s forgiveness. But that did not stop Hosea from forgiving her. In fact,
Hosea sacrificed his pride and his human rights in order to forgive Gomer.
Hosea’s forgiveness also required a financial sacrifice.
· Hosea
had to sacrifice materially.
Hosea had to buy back his own wife.
Seriously? Gomer was damaged goods and she definitely was not on sale. The
price was substantial. Six ounces of silver and ten bushels of barley was the
going price of a slave and since prophets are definitely not in the top income
bracket, the payment was a great financial sacrifice for Hosea. Gomer’s own sin
had placed her in bondage. Even so, Hosea was willing to make a financial
sacrifice in order to fulfill his commitment in marriage. Love that never gives
up is willing to pay a price, to sacrifice so people in bondage can be set
free.
Mother
Teresa
said, ‘Love, to be real must cost. It
must hurt. It must empty us of self!”’ The words of King David
reveal the essence of love and forgiveness. ‘No, I
must pay the full price. I won't give an offering that costs me nothing’ (1 Chronicles 21:24, ICB).
Hosea could have played it safe.
Nowhere in Scripture does it suggest Gomer wanted his forgiveness, and Hosea
had no guarantee she would not do the very same thing again. He took a huge
risk in bringing Gomer home. What passes for true love is often little more
than a convenient emotional arrangement. Someone is kind to us so we are kind
in return. Someone treats us badly, so we don’t get mad, we get even. Sound
fair? Seem reasonable? Yes, but only in human terms. Love that never fails goes
beyond reason and refuses to settle for justice alone but insists on granting
mercy.
I love the story of a doctor who
told the little boy that he could save his sister’s life by giving her some of
his blood. ‘Johnny, are you sure you want to give your blood for Mary?’ the
doctor asked. The boy hesitated for several moments; his lips trembled as tears
filled his eyes. His parents and the doctor assured Johnny that the procedure
would not be very painful and would be over with quickly. Finally, he smiled
bravely and said, ‘Sure Doc. I’ll give my blood for my sister.’ As the
transfusion took place, the little girl began to respond immediately. Parents,
doctors and nurses erupted into cheers and applause. When the ordeal was almost
over, Johnny’s brave little voice was heard, ‘Hey, Doc, when do I die?’ A
stunned silence fell across the room. The doctor and parents suddenly realized
what Johnny was thinking. Johnny thought when he gave his blood to his sister,
he would die – a very high price he was willing to pay.
Love that never fails is willing to
pay a great price and make a great sacrifice. Love that never fails is yours to
receive and yours to give.
Let’s
Pray
Father, I come to You today, asking
first for Your forgiveness for the sin in my life. I choose to turn from that
sin and obey you. Thank You for your grace and mercy. Give me the strength and
power to extend that same mercy and grace to those in my life who have hurt
me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now
It’s Your Turn
What hurt or pain are your holding in
your heart and life? Realize it is holding you prisoner and make the choice to
let it go today. Forgive the person who hurt you. Forgiveness is a choice that
leads to a step of obedience. Forgiveness is not an emotion or feeling. If you
make the choice to forgive, God will supply the forgiveness.
INTERCESSION CREATES A
MEETING: Prayer Note # 21 by Dutch Sheets
