Experiencing God's Presence #149

I will win her back once again. . . . I will be faithful to you and make you mine.

Hosea 2:14, 20

God gave the prophet Hosea an unusual assignment. He was to marry someone who would be unfaithful to him again and again—but he was to remain faithful to her anyway. Why would God tell His prophet to do something so painful and strange? Because He wanted to paint a picture of His relationship with His people. Even though the Israelites had repeatedly been unfaithful to God, He still loved them. He wanted them back. He hated their sin, but He stood with open arms, waiting for them to return to His love—not because he was desperate but because it’s His nature to love relentlessly.

One of the greatest hindrances to our sense of God’s Presence in our lives is our awareness of our own sin. And though God hates sin, He loves us. So even when we disobey Him and grieve Him, He is single-minded in pursuing us. Why? Because He wants to be with us. He wants closeness. He may withdraw His Presence briefly sometimes, but it’s only so we will see what we’re missing and return to Him. His ultimate goal in creating human beings was for them to relate to Him. Why, after abolishing the record of our sins, would He withhold Himself? He wouldn’t. He has always pursued relationship, and He always will.

Let nothing, not even your own flaws and mistakes, convince you that God prefers distance. When you most feel like hiding from Him, pursue Him even more zealously. Know that your instinct to withdraw is never a reflection of His attitude toward you. When your desire to be with Him outweighs your sense of guilt and shame, He is honored. And He welcomes you with open arms.

Lord, even when I feel unworthy, I want You. I choose You—to pursue You, to be with You—knowing that my insecurity in our relationship is unfounded. I accept the gift of Your open arms.

From the book