Day 32: I trust You, Lord. I can reconcile. Hosea 3
So many today have misconstrued the word love. The word is thrown around like a beach towel in the sand. You lay it out and when you are done with it, you pick it up, shake it off, and put it away. But that's not how you love. You don't pull it out when the sun is shining and throw it back in the pantry when the rain comes. You pull it out, keep it dusted, keep it clean, keep it mended, and keep it fresh. You tend to it with daily maintenance. There are good days with love, there are bad ones, but no matter what, there is always love.
Hosea married a prostitute. Crazy huh? And God told him to marry her. Couldn't He have chosen someone 'cleaner' for His prophet. But his marriage to her was symbolic to God's marriage to His people: he would reclaim His people (v1), redeem them (v2), renew them (v3-4), and restore them (v5).
Then said the Lord unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the Lord toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. Hosea 3 KJV
Most people use this text to draw people back to God, but today it will be used as an example of reconciled love to your spouse. If you and your spouse are on the verge of splitting up or have split up, this is for you. Spend time today in prayer, seeking God on direction for you. He can reconcile even the worst breakups. Before you react, pray. Before you speak, pray. Before you go, pray. In all things, pray. Let the reconciliation be perfected by Him through prayer. It may be a bumpy road, but stay on the road.
When you have been reconciled, you will that there is a price you had to pay for this redeemed lost. It could be lost time, missed opportunities, extramarital children, or even disease, but be ye reconciled (not a commandment, it just sounds good). There’s always a price to pay when coming back together. Sometimes it’s a hefty one, but you will get through it no matter what. If children are involved, do not involve them in the mess. Instead, give them an example worth watching. They didn’t ask to be in the middle of this. They are innocent. Show them the God that has been revealed in it all.
During the period of renewal, recognize the role you played in the breakup. You cannot change someone, you can only change yourself. Ask God to create in you a clean heart. Ask Him to help you wipe the slate clean as He has done for you. Be willing to have a period of time where you are separated for ‘purification’. Marital relations may not resume for some time and that’s ok. During this time, you can spend time together getting to know one another again. No, not the biblical ‘know’, but the emotional one. You have changed and so has your spouse. Embrace it. Now is a perfect time to create a new love. A love that’s built on God.
When the time is right, your love for one another will be reclaimed. Perfected. Solid. It will be glorious. Continue daily maintenance on the love you have created. Respect one another and seek God on everything. Let God be the center of your marriage and it will shine like never before.
If you aren't married, spend some time meditating on this chapter. It's really small. Let your relationship with your first love be reconciled. Spend your time praying and repenting, drawing closer to God, and renewing your covenant with Him. Seek His counsel for your mate and keep Him in it at all times (kick everyone else out).
In both situations, you need God's guidance for reconciliation. Trust Him to guide you. Reconciliation between two people can take time but going back to Him is as quick as you turning yourself.
Reconciled,
Keiyia JOYet George
Trust Walk: Walking in His Steps coming soon!