“I will block her path with thornbushes; I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way. She will chase after her lovers but not catch them; she will look for them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go back to my husband as at first, for then I was better off than now.’” Hosea 2:6-7
Lord Jesus, I love spring wildflowers in Montana, sea oats on any beach, honey suckle vines in aromatic bloom, and Heather in the Highlands of Scotland. Today, however, I praise you for the grace-gift of “thornbushes.” They aren’t pretty, but they are priceless. When we drift or jump into “prone to wander” mode, you shift into “committed to frustrate mode.” Thank you.
When are lust for satisfaction is stronger than our love for you, we run after a variety of “lovers.” Not all of them are people, and the impulse isn’t only sexual. ANYTHING that promises to satisfy our cravings, medicate our pain, bloat our ego, give us control, or tame our shame can become a “lover.”
Money, ministry, society’s smile or sexual fantasy; looking 40 at 60 or 20 at 40; having children who call us or drugs that numb us, a higher place in the org chart or a longer drive on the golf course—the list is endless. For good reason you call them “worthless idols” (Jer. 2:5) and “broken cisterns” (Jer. 2:13), and graceless lovers. They cannot and will not satisfy.
Your love exposes then mocks the insanity of our sin, Jesus. You give us many good gifts in life but not are meant to supplant you. Only your love is better than life. Only you can fulfill the very longings you have given us. Keep the thornbushes coming and growing, Lord. But especially, free us to find our greatest delight in you. So Very Amen.
