The Lord God saith,
“I will hedge up your paths with thorns.
With prickles will I hem you in
So that you cannot find your way.
For you seem ignorant of all I’ve done for you,
All that I am for you.
You chase after love that can’t satisfy,
Drawing dust from a well
That’s parched and empty.
I will destroy all that which has enticed you
And kept you from seeing Me.
This is why I call you into the desert.
Will you hear Me now?
Stripped of your comforts,
Separated from your lovers,
And surrounded by prickles and sand?
Will you love Me?

“Here I will give you lush vineyards
Saturated with life and hope.
Here you can sing again with shining eyes
Like you did as an innocent child.
And here at that day,
You will call me “Husband”.
No more will you call me “Master”,
For I will free you in My love.
I will break the bows of those who try to hurt you.
I will be your Shelter so you can rest safely.

“I will betroth you unto Me.
You are My treasure.
Here in the desert, I will betroth you
With righteousness and judgment,
With lovingkindness and mercy—
Even with faithfulness.
I will be to you what none other has ever been
Or could ever be.
Will you know Me?
Will you love Me?

“My beloved, you are Mine and
You belong to no one else.
I will extend mercy, though you never deserved it;
And though you have ignored Me as your God,
I will say,
“You are My daughter.”
And you shall say,
“Thou art my God.”
This, beloved, is My heart for you.”

Rynelle Penner
Inspired by Hosea 2
*Photo Credits: 2nd & 4th photos (Crystal Penner) 5th photo (Deandra Penner)
Thank you for this, Rynelle. So beautiful. This is what God has been trying to impress on my heart recently too I think.
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