Bible reading: Hosea 2:7-8
“She will run after her lovers, but she won’t catch them. She will look for them, but she won’t find them.
Then she will say, ‘I will go back to my first husband because life was better then for me than it is now.’
But she does not know that I was the one who gave her grain, new wine, and oil. I gave her much silver and gold, but she used it for Baal.”
Last night, I watched a movie called Redeeming Love based on the biblical story of Hosea. To summarise, a God-fearing farmer, Michael, asked God for a wife to share his life, and God led him to Angel, the highest-paid prostitute in the town. The story then takes us on a journey of Angel’s traumatic past and what led her into prostitution (I am not going into detail in case you plan on watching it). After a series of visits from Micheal and facing terrible abuse from her bosses, Angel agrees to marry Michael. As time passes, she is so burdened by the guilt and shame of her past that she runs back into prostitution because she feels unworthy of Michael. Despite the devastation and heartbreak Michael feels, he waits patiently for Angel until she finally returns home of her own free will. Michael opens his arms to embrace Angel and welcomes her home. This story is a beautiful illustration of God’s love and forgiveness towards us as His children. It is also a reminder that no sin is too great for God!! So do not let past or present guilt keep you from God. He wants you just as you are! And like the prodigal son’s father, He is here with open arms waiting for you to come back to Him (see Luke 15:11-32 for passage on the prodigal son). There is no limit to God’s forgiveness, so do not let the number of times you have slipped away from God discourage you. If you feel the pull to turn to God today but are reluctant because of the gravity of your shame and sin, I want to encourage you to stop overthinking it and just run back to God and repent! He is waiting to take away all your burdens and give you rest.
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
