I don't ever remember studying the book of Hosea before this week, but I enjoyed contemplating the different facets of the marriage metaphor that he teaches us. I loved the introductory paragraph from the Come, Follow Me manual that explains what to expect when reading the book of Hosea. It states "Israel's covenant with the Lord was meant to be so deep and meaningful that the Lord compared it to a marriage. The covenant, like a marriage, included eternal commitment, shared experiences, building a life together, exclusive loyalty, and most of all, wholehearted love." One of the thought provoking questions in the manual is "ponder your own relationship with the Lord...how can we be faithful to our covenants with Him? As I thought about this question, I was reminded of a Liahona article I read some time ago that really helped me think of more concrete ways that I can strengthen my relationship with Him. The article listed the following ten items that might help deepen our connection with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Communicate honestly, out loud, and with real intent through prayer.2
Be a good listener.3
Show Them appreciation.4
Make sacrifices for Them.5
Learn about Them.6
Spend quality time with Them.7
Serve together.8
Show Them trust and commitment.9
Admit when you’re wrong.10
Learn how They show you love.11
"Strengthening my Relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ"
Pres. Nelson recently said "Once we make a covenant with God, we leave neutral ground forever. God will not abandon His relationship with those who have forged such a bond with Him. In fact, all those who have made a covenant with God have access to a special kind of love and mercy....we are bound together. Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us. Each of us has a special place in God’s heart. He has high hopes for us." (The Everlasting Covenant). May we reciprocate towards Him the same kind of effort and patience that He shows towards us as we try to grow stronger and deeper in our relationship with Him.
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