Counterfeit Lovers

By Sara Freemann
Guest Writer

CBN.com -- God told Hosea to marry Gomer, who by the way was a prostitute at the time. Let’s put this into today’s context. It would equate a well-known evangelist announcing his recent marriage to a popular porn star! Can you see it now?

"Tonight on Extra - You will never guess who got married this weekend . . . The Reverend and (insert porn star name here)!"

God asked him to do this because He wanted Hosea to illustrate the relationship between God and the people of Israel. They were chasing after all kinds of things, worshiping idols, and sacrificing their children to lifeless lumps of stone and metal.

"For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink (Hosea 2:5)."

I relentlessly find myself pursuing counterfeit lovers: the approval of others, money, food, clothes, romantic relationships, and entertainment. Even my ministry has been a false lover.

"She will chase her lovers, but not overtake them; yes, she will seek them, but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for then it was better for me than now.’ For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold (Hosea 2:7-8)."

None of these empty lovers could ever bring me a speck of joy, peace, or hope. In fact, they tend to bring more headaches and heartaches. At the time, I did not realize how empty they were. Even though I know in my mind that they cannot satisfy, my heart still believes that they will.

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, will bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfort to her . . . she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth . . . And it shall be, in that day,” says the LORD, that you will call Me ‘My Husband, and no longer call Me ‘My Master . . . “I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me (Hosea 2:14-19)."

God loves us in spite of our inability to love Him. He desires to be our only lover. Do not let anything get between you and Him! Know - not just in your head but also in your heart - that what you are chasing is not worth the One who is chasing you. The praise of man is empty. Food will leave you unfulfilled. Stuff is just stuff. Clothes and other material possessions will only drain your finances. Your ministry cannot love you back.

So stop chasing counterfeit “lovers” who cannot complete you. Turn around and run to the God of Love. He is waiting for you with arms wide open.

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