Don't Refuse or Abuse Good Love

Your love is like the morning mist,

like the early dew that disappears. -Hosea 6:4 (NIV)

On so many levels, it must be frustrating to be God. In some small way, those of us who are parents or who work with children can relate. We love our children. We want what's best for our children. We try to equip our children with the tools they'll need to make good decisions.

And yet the reality is that we will likely be disappointed by our kids.They'll refuse to listen. They'll refuse to believe that we know what we're talking about. They'll make bad choices and decisions.

As a parent or someone who is like a parent, it's tough to watch. It's frustrating to watch our children rebel. It's difficult to watch our children be hurt.

Sometimes we reach the point of wanting to throw our hands up into the air and announce, "OK, I'm done." God seems to have that moment of exasperation in today's scripture readings. God is tired of Israel's declarations of love that don't last any longer than the morning mist. As The Message states it, God wants "love that lasts, not more religion."

God and most parents want to believe that children will do better if given another chance. When children disappoint, God and parents want to believe that children will do better. Even though God and parents can get frustrated with their children, they hope that, given another chance, children will make better decisions. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't.

Unfortunately, children often turn away from or take advantage of a loving God or parent. And refusing or abusing this love always has consequences... consequences that result in far less than what God and parents desire for their kids. I don't know about you, but I don't want to refuse or abuse love in this way.

May God grant you grace not to refuse or abuse the good (God) love of another today.

If you're interested in reading through the Bible in a year, read Hosea 10-12, Psalm 13, and Hebrews 4 for tomorrow.