I have reached the book of Hosea and have been struck by the frequent references to knowing the Lord and developing our personal, intimate relationship with him. "My people are being destroyed because they don't know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests." "You [leaders of Israel] have led the people into a snare [the worship of idols] … Your deeds won't let you return to your God … and you do not know the Lord."

Not knowing who God is – what he is truly like – and not intentionally and constantly running into his arms to strengthen our relationship with him, is a dangerous place to be. It can leave us easy prey for the enemy. We can be listening more to his accusations and lies than to the encouragements and truth we find in God’s Word and to those personal encouragements he whispers directly into our ears. I am acutely aware of my own struggles in all of this.

Hosea identifies with God's rebellious people when he exhorts them: "'Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds.  In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.' 'O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?' asks the Lord. 'For your love vanishes like the morning mist … I want you to show love and mercy, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings'" (Hos. 6:1-7).

How has God revealed his love to his unfaithful people Israel in the earlier chapters? By giving her amazing promises: "I will win her back once again … I will speak tenderly to her … and transform the valley of trouble into a gateway of hope … so you can live unafraid in peace and safety. I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me" (Hos. 2:14-20).