May 8, 2019
Hosea 3:1-3               
The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.”  So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley.  Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.”
New International Version (NIV)
                 I admit it.  I love love stories.  As a pastor who performs wedding ceremonies I get a front row seat to the beginnings of families.  Every couple has a story that leads up to the wedding day.  I love listening to those stories. 

                What is your favorite love story?  Romeo and Juliet is too sad for me.  O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi has such a happy ending (I won’t spoil  it but you really should read it.)  What makes for a good love story?  It should end with “happily ever after."  

                One of the amazing love stories in the Bible is the story of Hosea and Gomer.  God told Hosea to marry Gomer, but along the way he discovers her reputation is not good.  She leaves Hosea for other men and then returns to town a slave on the auction block.  Hosea who is raising their kids finds out, takes his last money and grain and purchases her.  Then he tells her, “You have to stay here with me.  No more running away.”  Amazing love!

                It would be hard to top that story.  Except their story is the story of God’s love for Israel and ultimately humankind.  When we ran away from him God pursued us and purchased us with the blood of his own Son so that we might love him and live with him forever.  “Amazing love.  How can it be, that thou my God should die for me?”
Pray with me:    
Father, thank you for loving us so perfectly.  Forgive us, we pray, for times we ran away from you after our idols.  Draw us back to yourself.  Help us to respond to your love by staying close to you for the rest of our lives.  We want to live happily ever after with you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.               
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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