SEARCHLIGHT
Do you love God the way God loves you?
SCRIPTURE
For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they truly don’t honor me. “Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy.” Hosea 11:7-9 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
One of the most severe, emotional, painful experiences in life is when a spouse betrays a spouse. Everyone’s life is changed. Not just the husband and wife but the innocent bystanders called “the children.” This deep wound is so shocking and devastating. It creates never-ending questions about cause and blame. Trust, respect, dependability, and understanding between the husband and wife and many others are destroyed. Many times, the marriage ends in divorce.
Here is a big twist. This is not how God views betrayal when people, who should love Him, are instead focusing on “idols.” The book of Hosea is a story of God experiencing betrayal. In today’s Scripture focus you read how God’s heart was broken because the people of Israel continually dishonored Him. The Bible says that God continued to love them regardless of their deep disrespect and irreverence toward Him. God did not respond like a betrayed person. He did not say, “This relationship is over…I am out of here.” God’s love overflowed toward the betrayers. As He witnessed what they were becoming in contrast to what they could become, God said that He could not retaliate but still had a deep, forgiving, restoring love for them.
God is loving, faithful and merciful toward people who disrespect and dishonor Him. Should someone “betray” God, rest assured that God is still faithful to seek out, love and forgive the guilty party. God loves people who choose to disregard Him. Never forget that Jesus told the powerfully forgiving parable about the loving father waiting for the Prodigal Son to return home. [Luke 15:11-32]
So, what does all of this mean to you and me? Most of you who are reading this devotional are probably not betraying God. However, is it possible that you may be disrespecting God? In marriage, continual disrespect toward your spouse means there is a flashing yellow light signaling danger. Disrespect always precedes betrayal.
Here is just a snapshot of signs which show disrespect toward a spouse:
- prioritizing your needs over your spouse’s needs
- ignoring your spouse – overlooking your spouse’s feelings – disregarding him or her
- not acknowledging your spouse’s importance and significance in your life
- not expressing gratitude for what he or she does
- refusing to talk about issues – avoiding serious conversations
- refusing to apologize and admit shortcomings
- talking poorly about your spouse – making jokes and sarcastic comments in public
- talking over him/her – interrupting – cutting off your partner in conversation
- poor listener – conversation is very much one-sided
- withholding warmth, kindness and affection that expresses love
These 10 signs can also be an expression of disrespect toward God. In the above list, review with me just the first 3 ways of showing disrespect:
- When God is not your first priority, something else is. The Bible calls that an idol. The Greatest Commandment is to love God first.
- When you do not have time to spend with God in prayer and Bible reading, something is clouding your thinking. You are choosing to ignore the One who died for your sin.
- When you skip times to gather to worship and praise God with other believers, something else is crowding God out. You are forgetting that God is worthy of your adoration and reverence.
Think about it. What does God do when you show Him disrespect? God still loves you! When you are unlovable, God still loves you! When you are undesirable, God still loves you! When you are self-centered, God still loves you! When you are proud, God still loves you! When you are dishonoring, God still loves you! When you allow things to steal you away from having a personal relationship with your Creator and Redeemer, God still loves you.
Here is the key question. Do you love God the way God loves you? Marital disrespect is a major steppingstone toward betrayal. Disrespect for God can be a steppingstone toward walking away from the One who knows you best and loves you the most.
Allow me to state the key question once again. Do you love God the way God loves you?
SOMETHING TO DO
- Are you trusting God with all of your life?
- Are you respecting God with reverence?
- Are you depending on God?
- Are you grateful to God for understanding you and being patient with you?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for endlessly loving me. Forgive me when I wander and draw me back to where I belong. I am so thankful to be Your child. Being a part of the family of God gives me the stability and security I need to live life to its fullest. AMEN