Featured: A Truly Redeeming Love

Friends, I have a wonderful book to share with you today.

REDEEMING LOVE by FRANCINE RIVERS

Just.
So.
Good.

In this fantastic novel by Ms. Rivers, the author paints a beautiful re-telling of the story of Gomer and the prophet Hosea from the book of Hosea in the Old Testament.

Basically, without spoiling anything, the story goes like this:
-A prostitute has had a horrific life.
-A man was told by God to marry her.
-God told him to do whatever it took to pursue and marry her.
-He did so, even when it was terribly hard to continue to do so.
-In the end, God epically wins.

(See the book of Hosea for the full Biblical account)

Hosea has an undying, UNRELENTING love for Gomer, despite the fact that she has led a truly sinful life, full of adulterous behavior and ugliness.

Who else does this remind us of?

JESUS.

Our Lord loves us so much that he would do ANYTHING for us.

It’s a fact.

Hosea’s UNCONDITIONAL love for Gomer here on Earth doesn’t even compare to the ONE who would do ANYTHING for us because of his GREAT LOVE.

The Apostle Paul writes in the book of Romans:

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If there is one thing I want those reading to take away from anything I write on this blog, it would be this:

That there is nothing you can do to make God love you more,

And there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.

His love is true, freeing, and unending. It is deeper than the depths of the deepest ocean and higher than the tallest mountain. It goes on and on, and He calls us to Him. We come closer and closer to our Maker through prayer, listening, reading, and through the words of friends and loved ones.

Hearing His Word.

Following in His ways.

Walking in His footsteps.

Graciously accepting his truly redeeming love and mercy.

The first, true Lover of our lives.

[Authored by Julie Gernand]