Like Gomer, the prostitute wife in the book of Hosea, I have been in the desert. I continuously run to it. It is only by the grace of God that I am carried back home. He lavishes me with His mercy and redeeming love, yet I am a woman who constantly forgets her Lord and Savior. I run and hide because my past will tell me, “I have a hold on you; you are marked.” God in His redeeming love replies, “My beloved daughter, nothing and no one will ever take you from Me. You are covered by My Son’s blood. YOU ARE MINE!”

"But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.” Hosea 2:14

Oh how tender is the Lord with me, in spite of my self-sabotage. We all do it. And He takes us back. No matter how messy and dirty we become, He takes us and makes us new.

This summer, as Logos Women began to study the book of Hosea, I could not help but think, ‘LORD, we are all Hosea’s Wife.’ We run far away, thinking God has forgotten how to chase after us.

“Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, so that she cannot find her paths.” Hosea 2:6

As we dissected the chapters, God once again wrapped His hands around my corroded heart. He said, ‘You are worthy to be here. Listen!’ The Lord began to hedge a wall of thorns around me so that I could not run to the things I believe are for me. God will do this to guard us further!

Worldly suffering brings destruction, but suffering for the sake of the Lord builds hope. As I wandered in the desert, God whispered to my heart, “Beloved, focus on Me. Focus on us. Be brave. Stay faithful. “

I pray that as God continues to heal our hearts, we remember that we are HIS. The covenant that He has with us cannot be broken. God will not abandon what He has promised to be His.