Gomer: Broken

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Gomer was broken. And just so you know, that’s not unique. Some of us, even believers, are broken and hiding from God. Why? We’ve not done the heart-work required to get honest with ourselves or God and allow Him to heal our hearts. That’s what makes elements of Gomer’s story so unique. But before we dig in, consider this. Unless and until we are willing to acknowledge our brokenness, there will be no change. Walls around our hearts will continue to prevent us from receiving God’s love and healing which is waiting to rescue and restore us at every given moment.

Unlike some, Gomer didn’t hide. Oh sure, she hid her pain, or so she thought, but the reality of it is this. Gomer’s suffering and unbridled brokenness drove her sin, which lay bare before all of Israel. It was akin to standing on the corner naked – yet, in some measure, she was blinded. But here’s the reality of her plight. In unbelief, Gomer fostered her brokenness and ran from Hosea again and again. Did she hate him? Of course not! But her actions displayed the depth of her misery and wounded heart. That included her negative thoughts about herself, a deep sense of unworthiness, destructive self-speak and learned behavior. These perspectives drove her insatiable love quests in hopes of ending her pain and mending her broken heart.

Watch this, though. Fixing ourselves is not our job. It has never been! And thank goodness for that because what’s required is far above our ability. None of us can rise to the occasion or meet sin’s demand. It required the spotless sacrifice of God’s lamb on Calvary. A miracle feat for which we were neither called to perform nor equipped to accomplish. Although no human is sinless enough, the blood of Jesus sufficiently satisfied God’s wrath concerning sin. Jesus was born for this. He lived to die on our behalf. He said, “It’s finished!” and it is! So, believers, we can rejoice because that’s all sin - past, present, and future, including sins’ eternal consequences.

Before we throw Gomer under the bus, though, let’s consider this. Previously Gomer had received a lie about herself in her heart. Then, believing it and being void of God’s truth to refute it, Gomer not only embraced the lie - she lived it! Indeed, she was trapped. It happens that way sometimes. I’ve seen its agonizing work in real-time, which is enhanced by the enemy’s passionate bent to destroy us. In a few words, that’s what happened to Gomer. Her pain and insecurity were fueled by rejection, bad memories, and unfulfilled expectations, which guided her despair. The more she ran, the more she sinned, and the more she sinned, the more shame she endured. And all of it increased her sense of unworthiness. She was on a merry-go-round of sorrow and despair. Yet, watch this! Through it all, Hosea was faithful. I quite imagine that within itself, the reality of Hosea’s faithfulness heaped more coals upon Gomer’s head - providing little comfort - if any. Indeed, her fears of rejection were burdensome and many. The more Hosea pursued Gomer, the harder she ran in vain attempts to ignore her pain and pretend to be whole.

God won't leave her in this state of despair. He never leaves us in our sin and unbelief. His mission is to rescue us and love us into His kingdom as only He can. God tells an incredible story of redemption through the marriage of an unlikely couple, which highlights His steadfast, enduring love for His sinful bride. After a pattern and type of God's Spirit, Hosea will pursue Gomer until He apprehends her with his unfailing love. God will do the same for Israel.

On her day of conversion, what made the difference? It was what her heart was prepared to receive because she could run no more. If we run long enough, eventually, we come to the end of ourselves. That's where God begins! Indeed, Gomer ran until the inner fight and struggle ended. On that day, humility was born in her heart. Until then, what did she know about love? Truthfully, she knew nothing at all of the authentic love, which her sinful pride had kept at bay. But on this day, God opened her heart, and for the first time, Hosea's love poured in. At last, Gomer was ready! Gomer believed it and received his love into her broken heart by God's divine grace.

What’s the takeaway?

No journey is without suffering. Peter, James, Paul, and John promise that trials will come. Perhaps you, too, have experienced lies and the gut-wrenching reality of sorrow in this life. Many of us have kissed its anguish and wrestled with fear, unworthiness, or unbelief. Nevertheless, God is faithful. Our healing begins with the humble admission that we are broken and need Jesus and His profound love to heal our broken hearts. Once we’ve settled that matter in prayer, we must walk in its remarkable victory and reckon it so! Lest we forget the promise of the Psalmist: “A broken and contrite heart – these, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:7). Of course, all who come to Jesus will be received. He will do it! Believer, if you are struggling, there is hope. Allow Him to love you today because nobody loves us as sufficiently as Jesus. And, like Hosea, the Lord Jesus has already paid the price; He has ransomed you!

Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, help our unbelief. Tear down the walls of our hearts, pour in your perfect love, and prepare us to receive it. After all, perfect love casts out all fear, and for that, we give you praise! Thank you, Jesus. Amen and amen.