I Drew Them With Cords Of Love

"I Drew Them With Cords Of Love"

Mixed Media Collage On Canvas / 2026

16" X 20"

This painting is about God's unwavering, unfailing love for us no matter how far we are from Him, He pursues us in love. Hosea 11:3 reveals to us his gentle care and patience with us, guiding us gently as a parent would a child: 'It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never realized it was I who healed them." It encourages us when we finally recognize His hand in our lives, protecting, teaching and guiding us with love. He longs to heal us, set us free. He knows when we're strugging or have made poor choices or have lost our way. While His heart is grieved, He patiently waits for us to turn back to Him in repentance just as He did when Israel had turned from Him. This is a powerful reminder that repentance is not a one time event but a continual process in order to keep our hearts aligned with His will.

While reading a devotional recently, the Lord highlighted this verse in the book of Hosea to me:

I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them. (Hosea 11:14)

As I continued to read, God was merciful with Israel and continually pursued them faithfully promising to renew and restore them. He declares to them, "For I am God and not a man -the Holy One among you". This verse reminds us that He is holy and His ways are higher than ours and we are safe in Him. His word is truth and full of His promises to us. This promise is to encourage us and give us hope. No matter what we're going through, God's plan for us is always for our good. He continually draws us with gentle cords, with bands of love. Amazing, I'm so thankful.

Scripture:

"My people are bent on turning from me." (Hosea 11:7)

"How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over O Israel?" (Hosea 11:8)

I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them. (Hosea 11:14)