Discover His heart: Because of His love for us, He does not willingly let us go
The value of a soul. Well, we really can’t place a value on one’s soul – it’s priceless. So much so that God sent His only Son to die to redeem that soul. When we’ve been praying for someone for a long time, one who is resistant to the Lord, we’re often tempted to give up on that soul. Hosea continued to reveal God’s abiding love for His people even though they had rejected Him.
“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go?… My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows.” (11:8) In the previous three chapters, Hosea summarized Israel’s rebellion against God, and because of their continued rejection of God, they would harvest what they had planted (8:7) But God’s heart was torn, “How can I let you go?”
Hosea challenged those who had rejected God for so very long, “Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, ‘Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.’” (14:2) This, this is what God is longing to hear; and His response to heartfelt repentance is, “I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.”(4)
There are several individuals I have prayed for as long as I can remember, asking God to touch their lives and change their direction. I must admit that I have gone through periods where I’ve just given up because it all seems so futile. Then I read something like this, revealing God’s incredible capacity to love and to hope, and my commitment is renewed to keep praying, keep believing. These dear ones I have been praying for may walk through some seeds they have sown, but if our pure and Holy God loves them so very deeply, who am I to give up on them?
Moving Forward: My hope is renewed today as I continue praying for those who desperately need fellowship with the One who loves them so deeply.
Tomorrow @ John 10-12
Phyllis Benigas 