Hosea was a prophet during the 8th century B.C. His writings conveyed the message of God's love for sinful people, particularly Israel, represented as an unfaithful wife. She had gone away from the Lord through her idolatrous worship of pagan gods. Therefore, as the "husband" of Israel, the Lord will "lure her ... and speak to her heart" (v 16).

The Lord will initiate the reconciliation and will do whatever it takes to restore the relationship. And the anticipated positive outcome will be - "she will respond to Me, she will call Me, 'My husband'" (vv. 17-18). In this restored relationship, the Lord promises a forever marriage, that is lived with "integrity ... justice ... tenderness ... love ... faithfulness" (vv21-22). And more than that, Israel "will come to know the Lord" (v 22) as her covenant God - a God Who keeps whatever has been promised.

When were the times you felt that you had been unfaithful to the Lord? Ran far away from God to seek "other gods"? And when were the times you felt that the Lord continued to be "kind and full of compassion, slow to anger, and abounding in love" (Ps 145:8)?

Whatever your circumstance in life right now, remember, the Lord will never let you go. You are God's beloved. No matter what you have done, no matter where you are at, God can restore the broken relationship you have with God. God desires to love you in every way!