Hosea 2

At church last week, an old friend shook my hand and said, "You are going to have to tell me about this," as he examined my right hand. I knew what he was refering to. On my pointer finger of my right hand I have a ring of sorts made out of a simple hairtie. It is kind of a "string on your finger" reminder. I haven't found a real ring that is suitable yet, so in the mean time this works.

Now you too are probably wondering what it symbolizes. In a nutshell, Hosea 2. Verse 16 says "And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali." To my understanding, Ishi means my husband and Baali means my master. So it reminds me that God is my Husband. Then looking down to verses 19 & 20. "And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD."

To be betrothed is as binding as being married. In this day and age, I realized marriage isn't honored like it once was, but to be betrothed is to be in a covenant with someone. It is legally binding. The words righteousness, judgment, lovingkindness, mercies, faithfulness are not words that I can keep towards my LORD, they are HIS promises to me!!!

By the way, that word lovingkindness is hesed in Hebrew which is the word describing love that is between a husband and wife. I know that love, I experienced that deep love where you cherish one another as a treasure. I miss that love and my beloved, my treasure, my Jim...

To this widowed heart of mine being in a love relationship with my LORD is safe, healing, refreshing, and motivating. Viewing God as my Husband keeps my heart where it should be: Focused on Christ. Loving HIM more than anything else, above my kids, above myself. It motivates me to listen to HIM more, to obey HIM more, to strive to be better for HIM. I am promised to marry the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; I am a future bride to royalty! Even though I am a poor peasant girl, I need to carry myself like a princess because in His eyes that is what I am. My reminder on my finger simply states, " I am deeply loved and cherished by SOMEONE very special and I need to act like it!!!!"