S: On that day I will make a covenant with all the wild animals and the birds of the sky and 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. “In that day, I will answer,” says the Lord. “I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds. And the sky will answer the earth with rain. Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees. And they in turn will answer, ‘Jezreel’—‘God plants!’ At that time I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself. I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’” (Hosea 2:18-23 NLT)
O: Oh, how our God LONGS for this day! The tenderness and sweet comfort shines through so, so clearly to me.
A: This is what Jesus wants for each of his people, individually. Each one of us can realize this--can be Israel to Him in our lives. I love how fully infinite Jesus's love is. When you divide infinity, no matter the number, you have infinity left. He loves me--and you--completely and wholly, with everything He has & is. He gave everything He had & was on earth, and still stands waiting to give us everything He has in His Father's kingdom now! And I literally have an audience of One when it comes to my relationship with Him, as do each of us. Complete, whole, and as though I were His only creation.
P: Lord, bless Your children. Let the knowledge of Your love spread to cover the whole earth. Pour out Your love upon those who seek You, and teach them how to shed Your love abroad as healing waters. Show me how to love--fully and unreservedly--so others might come unto You. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
