Isaiah 62:5 – As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. NIV
This scripture leaped in my heart yesterday. When that happens, I blog about it!
The very first time I heard this scripture I heard it referred to in the context of our salvation. I still believe this is true. Especially since Jesus mentions a marriage of the Bride, Paul mentions a marriage, and John mentions a marriage in Revelation! Let’s take a look:
As a young man marries a you woman, so will your Builder marry you! In the YLT, the Builder is referred to in this verse, also. Jesus is the Builder! So how does a young man marry a virgin? Generally speaking, through a covenant. And how do we become saved or born again? Spiritually speaking, through the Blood Covenant of the Lamb.
Now this is what I heard in my spirit. People try to act like living for God is so difficult to do, they even say they don’t know how. This is not altogether true. When a man marries a woman, whether they have been schooled or not, they know basic things and when people get saved, they also have a sense of some basic things.
When people get married, they understand that they have come together in covenant as a man and a wife and that there are to be no others. They understand that the sanctity of marriage is part of the package. Now, rather they keep it or not, it isn’t because of ignorance, because when you marry someone you are saying that you are no longer available to the single population. People truly understand that they can’t go out with old boyfriends to dinner, have dates with the opposite sex, or get involved in physical intimacies outside of their marriage. Whether you have seen a good marriage or not, whether you have studied the institution of marriage or not, whether you understand all the ins and outs of the relationship or not, you understand these basic things.
The same is true for salvation. When people get saved, it’s good to have a teacher, (make sure you find a good one), but rather you have one or not, you understand that coming together with God means this is to be a decision to live holy. You really don’t need anyone to tell you that after you get saved that you need to go to church and to go on a regular basis, yet people have to be hounded to attend church and to do so faithfully. You pretty much understand that even if you don’t know all the types of prayers and how to pray them all, that you should be praying. It’s pretty much a given that if you are going to be a Christian, rather you understand what you are reading or not, you are to read the Bible. People can act as crazy as they want to, but we all come with a sense of knowledge even when we don’t know how or why we know it. We don’t generally live in a bubble. With the exception of those who are not exposed to any form of religion, or church, we live in a community of people and have some pretty good ideas of what church is about. I know sinners who can give a good rundown on the Christian disciplines. So we are without excuse in our relationship with the Lord!
As a young man marries a virgin! The Christian faith is entered into in much the same way as a couple getting married. You make an exchange at the altar of rings to denote your unity and your commitment to one another. With your mouth you confess that you will give yourself to one another and no others with the intent to spend the rest of your lives together. When I got married it was for better or for worst, for good times, and through bad, for richer and for poorer, for the rest of our lives, til death do we part. A lifelong commitment! We understood that. And when we give our lives to the Lord, that’s the same type of covenant commitment that we are to make to Him. Yet too often, we break the marriage covenant and the covenant of salvation with God as if it’s no big deal.
But for those of us, who hang in there, we get to enjoy a wonderful honeymoon, so to speak, with the Savior. The rest of that verse lets us know that as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so the Lord rejoices over us! That’s an encouraging thought! The picture of God the Father rejoicing over us because He is so glad to be a part of us and to have us be a part of Him. Can you imagine Him treating Himself wrongly? No! Can you imagine Him denying Himself anything? No! Can you imagine Him being lax in His responsibilities towards you? No! So stop acting like it! He’s rejoicing over you!
My husband is a really good man. He’s been that way since we met. He has been generous with money and attention all of our 33 years. He takes really good care of me and our daughters. Without me asking for things, he will provided them. Without me being concerned about things, he takes care of them. He’s a keeper! But you know what? God is even better to me! I can’t imagine Him letting my husband take better care of me than He takes of me. Not happening. I can’t imagine Him withholding things from me to teach me a lesson, when He loves me so much. It’s unthinkable. And I can’t imagine Him not being there for me, when He has already promised me that He would never leave me. He’s more committed to this covenant relationship than we could ever be! And more importantly, He’s excited about it, and He’s excited about you!
We make salvation so complicated, when it really isn’t that complicated. God hasn’t saved us to keep things from us, but to give us every spiritual blessing and some natural ones thrown on top for good measure. His aim is to love us so much that we would have no thoughts of another lover. He has given His all for us and will spare no expense to show His adoration for us. He is just that good! (See my previous post!)
When we first married, my husband used to say often, “I can’t believe we are married!” He was just so happy about it! And I would respond, “Well, you better!” Sometimes I think, “WOW, God! I can hardly believe that I am your child! I am so thankful, so happy to be a part of your family, your kingdom!” And I can hear Him saying, “You better believe it!” Because I can only access and achieve that which I believe is available to me! And the same goes for you!
God’s great salvation is the best He has to offer. There’s no better “deal” out there. No greater Savior! No greater Husband! No greater Provider! No need to wait to see what any other religion has to offer you, for they can never offer you access and relationship with the Living God. If you have not accepted this great salvation, please do so now, so your honeymoon can begin! And if you do it right, it never has to end! Wonderful Jesus!
Note on salvation: If you have not asked Jesus to be your Savior and Lord, please do so today! It’s really easy! Just tell Him how much you need Him and want Him to be a part of your life. Tell Him that you realize that you won’t begin living until He becomes your life! Tell Him how much you really, really need this love of His that He offers so freely. And don’t forget to tell Him that only He can save you and free you from the clutches of sin. Then ask Him to do it! I promise you that He will! If you do, leave me a comment so that I can rejoice with you over receiving this great Savior and His great salvation!
Wonderful Jesus! 