He Never Gives Up...

 

Hosea 11:8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
    How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
My heart recoils within me;
    my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my burning anger;
    I will not again destroy Ephraim;
for I am God and not a man,
    the Holy One in your midst,
    and I will not come in wrath.

After presenting picture after picture of Israel's unfaithfulness and refusal to repent, God speaks His heart. Out of love He has been forced to chastise her for her disobedience. Her sin had led to her destruction and devastation.  It hurt Him to look on what she had done to herself.  His heart remained tender and faithful. He is not like us. He is Holy He never gives us. He keeps pursuing us - not to pounce on us, but to call us back to Him.