Faithful God

Sacred Gifts and Holy Gatherings
Four Weddings and a Funeral
An Unfaithful Bride

Hosea 2:18-23  The Message

^16-20 “At that time”—this is God’s Message still—
    “you’ll address me, ‘Dear husband!’
Never again will you address me,
    ‘My slave-master!’
I’ll wash your mouth out with soap,
    get rid of all the dirty false-god names,
    not so much as a whisper of those names again.
At the same time I’ll make a peace treaty between you
    and wild animals and birds and reptiles,
And get rid of all weapons of war.
    Think of it! Safe from beasts and bullies!
And then I’ll marry you for good—forever!
    I’ll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness.
Yes, I’ll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go.
    You’ll know me, God, for who I really am.

^21-23 “On the very same day, I’ll answer”—this is God’s Message—
    “I’ll answer the sky, sky will answer earth,
Earth will answer grain and wine and olive oil,
    and they’ll all answer Jezreel.
I’ll plant her in the good earth.
    I’ll have mercy on No-Mercy.
I’ll say to Nobody, ‘You’re my dear Somebody,’
    and he’ll say ‘You’re my God!’”

For Reflection 

I, for one, am tired of the invocation of dirty false God names.  How about you?

How, in the portion of God's universe that you reside as tenant, do you shepherd God's flock?  How do you contribute to the realization of the Kingdom of God?

Pray

for righteous living.  Pray for the realization of the Kingdom of  God.  Pray that your life will be lived in dedication to the promise of God.