I just finished reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. The inspiration for this amazing love story came from the Book of Hosea in the Bible. Naturally, a great love story like this would be a reflection of the true source of love, God Himself.
God loved us first, when we were unlovable, living in sin and rebellion against Him. He is continually faithful, even when we are unfaithful. Yet, He also gives us the freedom to choose to accept the love that He offers to us. And when we choose to love Him back, we can fully experience His saving grace.
I've been struggling this week, in preparing for a Bible Study on Hosea 6. It seems like such a short passage, a mere ten verses. Yet, the passage talks about the healing love of God. Surely, this is an area which is so relevant and deeply meaningful. Maybe I struggle because I sense that this can be such a powerful study; yet, I don't know how to present it adequately.
The last chapter of Redeeming Love even quotes Hosea 6:1 "Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up." It is clear that only God can truly heal. We may search for other ways to heal; but, many will only cover up or offer temporary relief. The cure, the renewal, the true healing comes only from God.
For those who blame God or don't think that a God who has allowed such pain and suffering in the first place would or could heal, we see in the passage that in the cases where the pain is a result of judgment and chastening, the ultimate purpose was that in one's misery, one might recognize the need to turn back to God. Pain and suffering entered the world when sin entered the world as a result of our rebellion against God and the breaking of our covenant relationship. God continually desires to heal the broken relationship and to restore us to intimacy with HIM.
Every single person needs healing. In this fallen world, there is no one who is unscathed and whole. Every single one of us has been broken and hurt. Not one person can say they have never experienced pain. And that is why we all need the great Physician, the great Healer - God.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Redeeming Love
I just finished reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. The inspiration for this amazing love story came from the Book of Hosea in the Bible. Naturally, a great love story like this would be a reflection of the true source of love, God Himself.
God loved us first, when we were unlovable, living in sin and rebellion against Him. He is continually faithful, even when we are unfaithful. Yet, He also gives us the freedom to choose to accept the love that He offers to us. And when we choose to love Him back, we can fully experience His saving grace.
I've been struggling this week, in preparing for a Bible Study on Hosea 6. It seems like such a short passage, a mere ten verses. Yet, the passage talks about the healing love of God. Surely, this is an area which is so relevant and deeply meaningful. Maybe I struggle because I sense that this can be such a powerful study; yet, I don't know how to present it adequately.
The last chapter of Redeeming Love even quotes Hosea 6:1 "Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up." It is clear that only God can truly heal. We may search for other ways to heal; but, many will only cover up or offer temporary relief. The cure, the renewal, the true healing comes only from God.
For those who blame God or don't think that a God who has allowed such pain and suffering in the first place would or could heal, we see in the passage that in the cases where the pain is a result of judgment and chastening, the ultimate purpose was that in one's misery, one might recognize the need to turn back to God. Pain and suffering entered the world when sin entered the world as a result of our rebellion against God and the breaking of our covenant relationship. God continually desires to heal the broken relationship and to restore us to intimacy with HIM.
Every single person needs healing. In this fallen world, there is no one who is unscathed and whole. Every single one of us has been broken and hurt. Not one person can say they have never experienced pain. And that is why we all need the great Physician, the great Healer - God.
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