Redeeming Love

I am reading a book right now called Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. It is a Christian fiction novel a sweet friend recommended to me, that is based on the book of Hosea. I recommend that if you have not read this book, you must get it and read it.

If you are not familiar with the book of Hosea, it is about a prophet that the Lord said to make a prostitute his wife. This prostitute left him over and over again, and the Lord told Hosea to go after her and bring her back, over and over again.

It was a love story to the Lord's people, written for them to see that even after the Israelites left God Almighty for idols and other nations, he would still pursue them and bring them back.
In Redeeming Love, not only is Michael Hosea and Angel the prostitute the main characters, but they also share the stage with two voices. The voice in bold letters is the voice of Satan, the voice in italics is the tender voice of God. Both are working overtime in these two characters' lives to bring about the conclusion that each is aspiring to. And it is chilling how Satan's voice is heard more often than the voice of God. But when the Lord speaks, it is quiet and still, reminding Michael to love her as God loves him, calling him beloved, and urging him to calm His lamb.

We've talked a lot lately about hearing the voice of God. Brian was surprised to hear that I have heard God's voice in my life more than once. I don't think I've always heard it though, I really think I've only identified it this last year with the searching, praying and growing I've been forced to do. God has spoken to me constantly over the encouraging and uplifting comments that I've received over this blog, through hugs and support given by so many, through His creation that he stuns me with at certain times, and even through gifts of songs on a wayward radio station in the middle of nowhere that disappears right after that specific song is finished.

I have one fear about God's voice. It is that I will confuse it for that of another voice, that sometimes tells me what I want to hear, other times fills my head with doubt, fear and anger.
I just pray that, like Angel, God will deliver me. That I will be able to differentiate the italic from the bold words. At that time, He will come for me, throw me on the back of his horse and ride me out of the filthy, dirty sin that clings to me like mud in a rainstorm.

I received this verse from my sweet friend, Debbie, at Hannah group Tuesday night. It seemed fitting for this message:
Proverbs 3:5-12
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.
Your barn will burst, your wine vats will brim over.