“Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.”-Hosea 6:1-2
Marriage is a covenant
All over the globe, marriages, even Christian marriages, are broken and shattered. Why? Because marriage is the most intimate relationship this side of heaven. All our sins, flaws, selfishness, and annoying habits are exposed. There’s no hiding who we truly are. We’re vulnerable in front of our partner, needy and begging for love, despite the ugly parts of us. And
it’s not just us who are exposed, but our partners as well. That’s two very broken, naked individuals, with separate needs and issues, attempting to offer unconditional love to the other, every single day.
Marriage is a covenant of love and trust between two humans, to remain in the relationship despite feelings, trials, or situations. That’s no easy task. It is in marriage that we see a metaphor of God’s love for us.
In the book of Hosea, Israel had forsaken God. They began worshipping idols and doing sinful acts. Yet, God made a covenant and would not forsake His people. In an unimaginable act, God sent Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute who was unfaithful and broke her vows. Yet, Hosea loved Gomer unconditionally. Never breaking his covenant to her, he sought after Gomer, bringing her back into relationship with him. God uses Hosea to show His ultimate love and sacrifice to His people; no matter how many times Israel walks away, God will remain steadfast in His promise.
All in
In our marriages, we all want to be the one who is loved and chased after. We want to be pursued despite our mistakes and failures. It’s a lot harder to be the chaser, to swallow our pride, our feelings of self-righteousness and hurt and anger. It’s hard to be the one to rise above, but that’s what God requires of us. Now, God is definitely not telling us to stay in a
marriage where abuse or drugs, violence or infidelity is prevalent. Nor does it mean there are no consequences for actions or refinement and accountability. It does mean we are required to be all in, to love with patience and kindness, to respond with love to harshness or apathy, to put aside our lists of how we were wronged or all the ways he’s failed.
It’s hard to show grace and forgiveness when you want to rebuke and chastise. It’s easy to fight fire with fire, but the whole relationship will burn. Let’s be like God, and love our spouses, sacrificing our pride and anger.
Read also: Lord, Teach Us To Be More Like You
