A Door of Hope

Hosea 2:15
And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

If you've never read the book of Hosea I suggest that you do. This book is a story of love, true love. Not the soap opera or storybook love, but absolute true, forgiving love. God uses the story of Hosea and Gomer, no laughing... I wouldn't have married a woman named Gomer either, to set up an illustration of what happened between God and Israel. Gomer had left Hosea to live an adulterous lifestyle with men and money. She left her children and husband to pursue the selfish sins of her desire. But Hosea wasn't satisfied with letting her go. He redeemed her. He actually sent out the children to find her and plead with her. After she was found, he bought her out of her sinful lifestyle. What love! What forgiveness! What a Pursuer!

God stated that He wanted to do the exact same thing with Israel. He wanted them to return. He made this statement about the "door of hope" we see in our scripture. You may think that this is small or meaningless but you're missing it. God said He would give a door of hope in the valley of Achor. This valley was not known for hope. No, it was known for sin, death and judgment. It was in this valley that Joshua was commanded by God to take Achan and his family there for stoning. It was a valley of judgment, but God says I will give it to you for a "door of HOPE".

Praise God for the door of hope! God is extending His grace unto us this morning. There is a door before you. Today it is the door of hope, but if He comes and puts an end to this time and place then it will be a door of judgment. Open the door, He is standing at it knocking. (Revelation 3:20)