Are We Ultimately Preparing For Death Or A Heavenly Marriage?
Good Morning Friends,
It has been said that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. Fear though is probably a third. I think that a lot of people fear the walk through life alone. Many of us have wonderful spouses but if they die the question is whom will we choose to wait for then. Some will choose new earthly mates but that too comes to an end. Eventually the selection is between God and the grave. The beauty is that if we choose God we also choose each other. If we choose the grave we put up a wall to separate us from others. So, Are We Ultimately Preparing For Death Or A Heavenly Marriage?
Scripture: A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NRSV)
Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate woman will be more than the children of her that is married, says the Lord. Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will settle the desolate towns. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the Lord has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man’s youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer. This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:1-10 (NRSV)
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder peals, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready; to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Revelation 19:6-8 (NRSV)
Message: The woman described in Proverbs is most certainly the woman that every man would want to marry. And she is the wife most women aspire to be. She is confident and trustworthy. She is a hard worker and compassionate. She works hard in the home and in public. How can one person possibly live up to the standards of this noble wife described in Holy Scripture? But this passage is not talking about one individual, nor is it talking about an earthly wife. But perhaps this passage speaks of more than strong traits of an outstanding wife, but gives to us a message for the church…the bride of Christ. And also a better way to approach and prepare for life. You see marriage is the perfect metaphor to explain the closeness of the relationship God has desired with His people. Sadly, when sin entered the world, it caused a separation in the marriage. Today’s Isaiah passage describes the rocky relationship between God and man who has acted as an unfaithful wife who was abandoned by her husband. But because of His great love, God promises to redeem and take her back. Because of God’s great love for His people, He does what it takes for the unfaithful creation to be reconciled unto Him. It is the image of a marriage but also the image of the rebuilding of a city we are to look forward in anticipation. Man’s own sinfulness makes us unfit to be God’s bride. But because of His deep love, God provides another way. Through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, our sins have been forgiven and we can become pure once more. Christ’s death is about God’s preparation of a bride and groom. God was willing to pay the ultimate price, the death of His only begotten son, to make this marriage happen and His own joy made complete. God’s plan is to end the separation caused by sin by preparing a wedding feast for the Jesus, the groom and His bride, which the church. This event is revealed to John in Revelation. And so we are to work collectively as the called out assembly for there is work to be done in community. We are to prepare for every detail of the wedding day, dressed in right actions and faithful in the wisdom of daily life that anticipates something wonderful coming to earth as in heaven.
Pray that God will rejoice over us as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. Pray we give our hearts fully to God and devote ourselves to becoming the helpmate God desires for us to be. Pray we unite and work hard for the glory and praise of Jesus Christ. Pray we are prepared for His return. Pray we seek the Kingdom of God.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 