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The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.” For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. Hosea 3:1-5

Love That Won’t Let Go

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Ever tried calling a pet that doesn’t want to be caught? Like a dog darting through the neighborhood, ears back, tail high, zigzagging just out of reach? You call. You chase. You promise treats. Still, they don’t come.

Now imagine that pet is a person—someone you love. And they’re running from you. Worse, they’re running from God.

That’s the heartbreak of Hosea. God tells him to chase after his wife, Gomer, who keeps walking away from him, choosing anything but to be faithful. She’s broken her promises. Hurt their relationship. But still, God says: “Go. Love her. Bring her home.”

Why? Because this is how God loves us.

We wander. We mess up. We pick everything (video games, friends, sports, or other stuff) before him. And yet—he chases. He calls us back. He refuses to stop loving. He refuses to stop forgiving.

Sound reckless? Undeserved? It is. And that’s grace.

Hosea’s story is our story. A love so stubborn, so relentless, so committed that it doesn’t quit when we do. In Jesus, God took his pursuit to the ultimate level—paying for our rescue, not just with silver and gold, but with his own life.

If you’ve ever felt unworthy, ever wondered if God could still love you after everything you’ve done—you don’t have to wonder. He’s chasing after you. You are wanted. You are his.

And if there’s someone in your life who’s running from him? Don’t give up on them. Keep loving. Keep praying. Keep chasing. Because that’s what God does for us.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for chasing after us even when we run the wrong way. Help us trust in your love and reflect it to others. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Have you ever played hide-and-seek? What’s the best part—hiding, or being found? Why?


• Who in your life loves you no matter what? (Parents, grandparents, friends, even pets?)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do you think people sometimes run away from God? (Don’t want rules, think other stuff is more fun, feel guilty, etc.)


• How does it make you feel that God never gives up on you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Hosea’s love for Gomer was shocking. What does that show us about how big God’s love really is?


• Who in your life might need to hear that God hasn’t given up on them? How could you show them God’s love this week?

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