Again

Then the LORD said to me, “Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress.”

Hosea 3:1, HCSB

AGAIN. It can be such a great word when about it applies to favorable events. When your team wins again, it’s a great word. But when your team loses again, someone must pay! The career path of a successful coach is often replete with hirings and firings, because teams have hot streaks and cold streaks.

Marriage is a “team sport” full of ups and downs, but it isn’t meant to be a contract based on performance. Marriage is a covenant based not on mistrust but on unconditional love. Hosea’s love for his wife, Gomer, certainly wasn’t based on her outstanding record of faithfulness. Far from it. She was unfaithful to him time and time again, yet he chose to love her despite her unfaithfulness.

The path of a wandering spouse leads to a morass of pain that is difficult to trace or predict. Yet God said to Hosea, “Go again.” Renew your commitment to Gomer—again. Demonstrate your love and affection—again. Risk your heart—again. And Hosea obeyed. Through his obedience, the world saw a picture of God’s unconditional love.

Is love really love before it costs us something? The next time your wife dents a fender, makes a poor decision, or blows it once more, forgive her. Again. Because when you consider your own shortcomings and failings, you’ll realize that you need plenty of grace and forgiveness too. And if you need to, seek marriage counseling.

BOTTOM LINE

Forgive your wife, not based on whether she deserves it, but based on your obedience to God.

Moment of Strength: Hosea 6:1-3