Hosea 14:4 says, “I will love them freely.” When was the last time that you received something that was truly free. I would wager that you have rarely, if ever, received a truly free gift. Almost everything is given to us and by us with some hidden expectation of return. Businesses give something free to clients and prospects with the expectation of future compensation. Friends and family give gifts with the expectation of feeling good, return gifting, or increased closeness in the relationship. We even do favors or good deeds for people with the same expectations of return.
All of this makes God’s promise of freely given love to us all the more remarkable. It means that no prayers, no tears, no good works, and no sacrifices will make God love us more. But it also means that nothing we will ever do will make Him love us less. He loves us simply because He chooses to love us. He doesn’t wait to love us until we somehow become loveable, because we can never achieve such a standing. He doesn’t wait to love us until we do certain religious or moral works, because we cannot become good enough to deserve His love. God loves you and me freely. He is not expecting anything from us, before He loves us. He chose to love us before the creation of the world. He simply loves us because He chooses to love us.
How will we respond to this type of love? Will we choose to ignore it and continue to live as though He doesn’t love us? Or will we respond with thanksgiving and praise, choosing to follow Him as our loving Savior and Redeemer?
Reluctant Retiree 