GOD USES A BROKEN HEART
Hosea 3:1-5
It must have been hard to be the wife of a prophet. Gomer endured her three children carrying
names of brokenness: “God scatters,” “not loved,” and “not my people.” Each utterance of one of those names was a sign
of
In
time, Gomer took multiple lovers. Her life spiraled down so far that she became
a slave, waiting on the auction block to be sold. Her actions damaged Hosea’s
reputation, and her unfaithfulness broke his heart. But God called for
redemption, so Hosea paid in silver and barley the full price of Gomer’s
freedom. Most “real men” of his era
would have divorced an adulterous wife. The law even allowed a death penalty. Hosea never sought divorce, but
rather a restoration of relationship. He placed constraints on Gomer to help her conquer her sexual
addiction and brokenness. He promised faithfulness on his part if she refrained
from straying. Hosea welcomed Gomer back, forgave her, redeemed her, and
restored her to a right relationship with himself. Just as God wanted to do for
Hosea
lived his life as a broken-hearted man, but in so doing, he came to know the
true heart of God and was used by God in a powerful way. When we are
broken-hearted, God can use us also. God will teach us compassion, forgiveness,
mercy, and love as He draws us closer to His own broken heart.
Gracious
Lord, may my broken-heartedness be used of You and may
I come to know more fully the beauty of salvation wrought by Your own broken
heart.
K. Roblyer
“I have been reflecting on the inestimable
value of broken things. Broken pitchers
gave ample light for victory (Judges
V. Raymond Edman