Being Beloved

Scott Harman January 23, 2024 4 4

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Hosea 11:1-4 (NIVUK)

1 

‘When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.

2 

But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.
They sacrificed to the Baals
    and they burned incense to images.

3 

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;
but they did not realise
    it was I who healed them.

4 

I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed them.

To them I was like one who lifts

    a little child to the cheek,

    and I bent down to feed them. (Hosea 11:4b)

I remember vividly the birth of my children. I remember how much light was in the room. One was born at night, and the lights were low. One was born in the day, and the sun shone through the window. I remember the smells of the hospital. I remember what the medical staff were wearing. I remember what I was wearing! I wore a white shirt to the birth of my first child, not the best choice. I wore a black shirt to the second birth. A better choice in case it got dirty.

I remember lifting them to my cheek.

“I will love you, forever.”

“I will love you, no matter what.”

Now they are older, and in some ways they want to distinguish themselves from their parents. 

Occasionally, I am reminded of my cheek to cheek promises.

What if my child ended up going in some way that I don’t like, then what?

Remember, 

“I will love you, forever.”

“I will love you, no matter what.”

There is a lot of comfort in that. God’s parenthood to us is secure. Even if we reject God. God will never forget that he loves us.

Prayer:

God I envision you lifting me up to your cheek as a child. I hear you whisper in my ear that you love me, forever. You love me, no matter what. May your unending love fill me now at this moment. Let that love overflow through me today to whomever I encounter. 

I confess that I don’t always do the right thing or even know what is the right thing to do. I commit to act in the freedom of knowing that you love me. May the words of my mouth and the actions of my life honour your infinite love today.