Carefully Reckless

Posted on September 20, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea:

“Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry
And children of harlotry,
For the land has committed great harlotry
By departing from the LORD.”

Hosea 1:2

There’s a worship song out that is called “Reckless Love”, it depicts God’s love as doing anything it can to reach us. “Chases me down, fights till I’m found, leaves the ninety nine”, are some of the lyrics, it goes on to say, “”There’s no wall You won’t kick down, lie You won’t tear down, coming after me.” As much as I like the song I hate the tile, “Reckless Love.” I don’t think anything about God is reckless, but I do like the idea that God is willing to chase me.

Having said that, after reading the book of Hosea, I’ve coined an oxymoron, “Carefully Reckless”. Hosea depicts God as almost desperate for His bride, just the fact that He commands a Prophet to take a harlot raises a few eyebrows. God has a hands-on illustration to experience a taste of what He goes through on a daily basis with us. The picture is having a husband continue to buy back his adulterous wife.

Spiritual adultery takes place anytime we put an idol or an object, person, place or thing, in place of God. At best, the most devout Christian might be able to say they spend 90% of the time being faithful to the Lord. How would that go over if you told your spouse, “Honey, I’m 90% faithful to you”?

God goes on a rant over the continued wondering of His divided nation. In chapter 11, God takes over the narrative and seems to show us His heart.

“My people are bent on backsliding from Me.

​​Though they call to the Most High,

​​None at all exalt Him.

​​’How can I give you up, Ephraim?

​​How can I hand you over, Israel?

​​How can I make you like Admah?

​​How can I set you like Zeboiim?

​​My heart churns within Me;

​​My sympathy is stirred.’”

“Carefully Reckless”, God wants to forgive more than we want to be forgiven. In the end God will buy back His people, including us, but it will come at a steep price, the blood of His Son. I often wonder if this picture was at the forefront of my mind when I entertain a wandering heart, would I still wander? I’m prone to wonder, and more than I’d like to admit my comfort comes from the things of this world. I thank God that He is able to sympathize with our weakness. “Lord, help me to hear Your heart when I’m tempted to look outside of Your love for comfort and protection”. Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano serves with his wife Terri in full-time ministry at America’s Keswick. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Haggai 1-2 | You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “… Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine.” – Bethel Music

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:And I will wait on the Lord, Who hides His face from the house of Jacob; And I will hope in Him. Isaiah 8:17