We all want a love that won’t let us down, but what happens when we let down the one we love? That could be the end of the love story, but Hosea shows that’s when the real love story begins. Hosea the prophet married Gomer—a promiscuous woman. She was the least likely to be selected, but Hosea chose her. Then Gomer began chasing after other lovers. She left the husband who loved her and went from man to man—until she found herself standing on a slave block, auctioned to the highest bidder.

Hosea’s heart was broken. He must have felt humiliated. But the Lord told him to “go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery” (Hosea 3:1 NLT), so Hosea followed God’s word and bought her back. He paid the price of a slave, but He didn’t treat her as a slave. He brought her home and restored her to the position of a beloved wife.

Hosea and Gomer’s love story is the story of God’s love for Israel, but it is also our love story. God loves you so much that He paid the ultimate price—Jesus—to buy you back from sin’s slavery and to bring you home. Though we have broken God’s heart as Gomer broke Hosea’s, the Lover of our souls seeks not to punish us but to dress us in robes of purest white. He, like Hosea, says to each of us, “I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion” (2:19 NLT).

You were not intended for chains; you were chosen to be a beloved bride, safe in the promise of God’s love. Look in the mirror today and see Gomer looking back at you. She was the beloved—chosen, accepted, and loved—and so are you. Even if you’ve wandered away from God, He is pursuing you. Receive the unconditional love of God today.