I relentlessly find myself pursuing counterfeit lovers: the approval of others, money, food, clothes, romantic relationships, and entertainment. Even my ministry has been a false lover.
"She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them; yes, she will seek them, but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now.’ For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold (
Hosea 2:7-8
She doesn't realize it was I who gave her everything she has— the grain, the new wine, the olive oil;I even gave her silver and gold. But she gave all my gifts to Baal. "But now I will take back the ripened grain and new wine I generously provided each harvest season.I will take away the wool and linen clothing I gave her to cover her nakedness.
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None of these empty lovers could ever bring me a speck of joy, peace, or hope. In fact, they tend to bring more headaches and heartaches. At the time, I did not realize how empty they were. Even though I know in my mind that they cannot satisfy, my heart still believes that they will.
"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her . . . she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth . . . And it shall be, in that day,” says the LORD, that you will call Me ‘My Husband, and no longer call Me ‘My Master . . . “I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me (
Hosea 2:14-19
I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble* into a gateway of hope.She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt. When that day comes," says the LORD, "you will call me `my husband' instead of `my master.'* O Israel, I will wipe the many names of Baal from your lips, and you will never mention them again. On that day I will make a covenant with all the wild animals and the birds of the skyand the animals that scurry along the ground so they will not harm you.I will remove all weapons of war from the land, all swords and bows,so you can live unafraid in peace and safety. I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the LORD.
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God loves us in spite of our inability to love Him. He desires to be our only lover. Do not let anything get between you and Him! Know - not just in your head but also in your heart - that what you are chasing is not worth the One who is chasing you. The praise of man is empty. Food will leave you unfulfilled. Stuff is just stuff. Clothes and other material possessions will only drain your finances. Your ministry cannot love you back.
So stop chasing counterfeit “lovers” who cannot complete you. Turn around and run to the God of Love. He is waiting for you with arms wide open.
