¹⁶ When that day comes,” says the Lord,
    “you will call me ‘my husband’
    instead of ‘my master.’
¹⁷ O Israel, I will wipe the many names of Baal from your lips,
    and you will never mention them again.
¹⁸ On that day I will make a covenant
    with all the wild animals and the birds of the sky
and the animals that scurry along the ground
    so they will not harm you.
I will remove all weapons of war from the land,
    all swords and bows,
so you can live unafraid
    in peace and safety.
¹⁹ I will make you my wife forever,
    showing you righteousness and justice,
    unfailing love and compassion.
²⁰ I will be faithful to you and make you mine,
    and you will finally know me as the Lord.

²¹ “In that day, I will answer,”
    says the Lord.
“I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds.
    And the sky will answer the earth with rain.
²² Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries
    of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees.
And they in turn will answer,
    ‘Jezreel’—‘God plants!’

Hosea 2:16-22

Dear God, when I read this passage this morning it made me think about modern day Israel. From what I understand, the majority there does not actively worship you. They are, once again, where they were. And I know it has seemed that our country has had a Faustian bargain to support Israel as your people and your country at least since World War II. A majority of our country wanted to love who you love out of love for you. But how frustrated are you that their hearts, for the most part, are not yours? I don’t even know how much their leadership’s hearts are yours. And now they are locked in this ugly, ugly battle that seems to me has gone beyond morality, although that only might seem that way to me because Israel hasn’t done as good of a job persuading the world to its side as the Palestinians have. But regardless, I am sad for Israeli people that the majority of them embrace the identity as Jewish, but they have somehow separated that from worshipping you.

But then there is me. Do I treat you like a young bride in love with her husband, or do I treat you like a master to be served and resented? Husbands are loved. Masters are simply respected, but their power is often resented. I want my relationship with you to be as a spouse with their mate. I want to be all in with you. I know we are not equal. I don’t want to be equal to you. But I do want to be with you. I want to be all about you.

Father, I give you this day. You are my God. I don’t want whatever lies baal is selling me–what Satan is selling me through the idols he offers in front of me. I want to worship you. I want to bring you into my life. I want to spread you to the others around me. I want to be not afraid. I want to naturally grow love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control within my heart, mind, soul, and even body. I want others to see it and want you as a result. I want you, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit,

I offer all of this to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen