Bride of Christ - God's Love at Work - Week of September 22

Bride of Christ
by Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of September 22, 2013

"For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ."  -2 Corinthians 11:2

Recently, the Lord has been drawing me to bridal things: bridal TV, tulle and lace online and offline, china, silver and more. As I sought Him amid all the white fluff, the Lord impressed upon me to host bridal teas in my home for those whom He called me to disciple, to build up. It is important to God’s heart that these women know how important they are to His heart. And it is my honor to serve them.

We are the bride of Christ always. Whether our current status is single, married, divorced or widowed, Christ will always be our first husband. One of my favorite scriptures—especially when I was single—was Isaiah 54:5, which affirms us, "For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth."

Yes, Father God is jealous for us no matter what our status. I recall when I first married my promised husband. I was so enthralled in my dreamy state. It felt like all was right with the world, and I didn’t seem to have a care. I just wanted to block everything else but the two of us out—until God startled me back into His truth: “You will not put your husband before me,” He said to my mind’s ear. I have never forgotten these words, and I am sometimes reminded of them.

We are precious to Father God. And I believe that every little girl inherently knows this. I believe it is in every little girl to desire to feel special to her father in heaven and on earth. We receive much of our identity as little girls through the confirmations of our earthly fathers. Our worldview of Father God is largely shaped by our earthly fathers. Maybe your relationship with your earthly father is or was a good one and maybe it wasn’t. Either way, Father God will provide a way for you to come nearer to Him, to see His face and know His heart. Do you know His love (1 John 4:16)?

We are so special to Father God that He sent His only begotten Son to die to us, to save us from sin and death. Jesus rescued us at the cross. We simply have to receive what He did for us. He made it easy for us. Let it not be in vain. Through Him, we are the righteousness of Christ, the head and not the tail. We are victorious! Father God made us winners, and we are never to forget this.

Right now, my cousin is helping her daughter plan her wedding. Oh the excitement! And oh what a journey! Every girl dreams of a beautiful wedding, a day when her heart is joined with the chosen man she has waited for her whole life. There is the white gown, the covenant vows, the wedding meal and the celebration. Every woman wants to feel like Rebecca in the eyes of Isaac, like Rachel in the eyes of Jacob. Our Father in Heaven always sees us like this and more. It’s so important that we see ourselves with His eyes and love ourselves with His heart.

I remember nearly 30 years ago, as a young woman who suffered greatly as a result of an adulterous husband, I received a visitation from an angel of God in a very tangible way one day. I could feel God’s pure, perfect love and peace descend upon me, encapsulate me and imbue every cell in my body. In those precious seconds, this angel of God spoke to me prolifically in my heart and in my mind saying, “I will bring your husband in 20 years.” His tangible presence then ascended. As it did, the emotional pain returned, but I knew the love of God in a more profound way.

Father God is faithful to deliver His promises. He has a plan to prosper us, not to harm us; plans for a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Psalms 27:14 tell us, "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Psalms 37:34 encourages us, “Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it."

For me, God was right on time. At the end of that 20-year period, I met my Isaac. Yes, God is faithful. And He has a plan for you too. You are His bride. Seek Him, and you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Ask and the door shall be opened (Matthew 7:7). You are His bride. He delights in you. And He desires to give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4). And in every step of every journey, we must remember that He will always be our first, our perfect husband. Amen.

Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.