Love Rebuffed
Ernie Vanderwalt
Remember old-time romance and courtship? Perhaps getting a love letter through the mail that had a fragrance because it was written on beautiful, scented stationary? Someone took the time and made an effort to convey their love and affection. Imagine receiving such a letter, knowing it is filled with passion and endearment, yet refusing to open it. Or worse, writing on it Return to Sender and rebuffing the writer!
It is painful making yourself vulnerable. Let’s face it. We all have memories of risk and rejection—having taken the initiative to articulate tender feelings, only to be dismissed. But do we ever give thought to how we snub the LORD at times?
There are numerous examples in Scripture written by the prophets where the LORD expressed a longing to demonstrate His love and fervor—by showering Israel with His provisions and gifts and showing His goodness, kindness and zeal. But despite His unrelenting pursuit and acts of unconditional love, He was constantly getting brushed off!
God clearly intends for us to know what He feels when expressions of His love are ignored. When He makes His intentions clear, endowing uswith so much and receivingvery little gratitude in response, and when His love letters are taken for granted, God gives us a glimpse of His heart. He does this through a clearly understood image—the heartbreak of marriage to an unfaithful spouse.
In the book of Hosea, the LORD instructs the prophet to marry a prostitute. The story is a clear depiction of God’s faithfulness of heart despite Israel’s divided loyalty and deceit. She becomes a cheating spousewho caused God to cry out in anguish, "My people are determined to turn from me” (Hosea 11:7).
The prostitute deals treacherously and with wavering loyalty towards her husband, Hosea. Yet, regardless, the LORD calls the prophet to love his faithless bride, rewarding her divided heart with lovingkindness. This certainly was not what she deserved, but her husband reflected the heart of our Fatherwho said in verse 8:"How can I give you up..., my heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender." Despite His love being spurned, the heart of the LORD is torn in love rather than anger.
We have all acted at times like we do not know the LORD. In pride and self-reliance, we have either not recognized, appreciated, or cherished Him. (See Hosea 5:4.) Sometimes shame and dishonor causes us to be brought back to Him, heeding to the LORD once again. However, with deepest mercy, all the while He patiently waits for us.
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, how often I have reacted in a fickle way and taken for granted Your acts of love and kindness. I have been ignorant of Your heart and affections. Please forgive me, LORD. Thank You for not giving up on me. You are such a good Father. Teach me to treasure Your love, and heal my divided heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Digging Deeper: Joel 2:13; Lamentations 3:32–33; Jeremiah 42:10; Luke 13:34, 19:41
Soaking Song: Good Good Father – Housefires