Daily Devotional

“So, he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son” (Hosea 1:3). 

The three most frequent reasons given for divorce are a lack of commitment, excessive arguing, and infidelity, with 55 percent listing unfaithfulness as a major factor leading to the split. 

And, sadly, unfaithfulness is on the rise. The lifetime infidelity rate for American men over 60 rose from 20 percent to 28 percent from 1991 to 2006. And, for women over 60, the lifetime rate of increase is even more startling, from 5 percent to 15 percent—a 300 percent jump in only 15 years! Furthermore, due to the fact that many people will not admit their wrongdoing to anyone, researchers believe the real figures could be even higher. 

Can you imagine marrying someone who you knew would eventually be unfaithful to you? The natural response would be to totally reject that kind of relationship. No one would choose to suffer the emotional trauma, humiliation, and pain that infidelity causes. 

Yet one prophet of God was actually commanded to take a “wife of harlotry.” Hosea chose Gomer as his wife, and this union became a living parable to illustrate the persistent love of God for His unfaithful people. Gomer’s three children were given names to emphasize God’s displeasure with the choices His chosen nation had made regarding idolatry. 

Gomer had a roving eye and, at some point, wandered away from Hosea. Although he had been faithful and kind, she fell to temptation. Eventually, Hosea bought her back and mercifully pledged faithfulness to his unfaithful wife. Although Gomer’s infidelity hurt her husband, she received redemption and undying love in return. 

Have you strayed from the Faithful One? “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). Just as Gomer was received by Hosea, you can be forgiven and received back into God’s arms of love. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing love that embraces me even when I have wandered away.