Hosea 2:23 “…And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people;’ and he shall say ‘You are my God.’”

With God there is always hope. God’s ultimate love overcomes the wrongs of the people as He foresees a day when they will be reclaimed. He depicts divorcing Israel through Hosea but He causes Hosea to take her back with the understanding that she will not play the whore again. It is His promise to His people. He will save a remnant and restore them to His family with the understanding that their behavior will change.

It is a beautiful picture of fallen mankind’s call to return to God and be His people forever. He says, “I will betroth you to me forever.” All things taken away would be restored, justice, love, mercy and faithfulness. It is a comforting message to us today when we realize how far we have strayed from God and taken other gods into our lives. Though under the penalty of eternal separation from God, He comes as Jesus to take us as His bride to be wed to Him forever. He has prepared a great wedding feast and a beautiful home for His bride and mercy will never end.

Task for Today: Rejoice in the good news. Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow. God will wash you in the blood of His Son and bring you to His home to live forever. Spend the day today thanking God for His unending love in spite of your weakness. He is saying, “You are my people,” to you. Will you answer, “You are my God?”