| Resources to aid your Understanding |
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I loved Him the moment we met. He had
always loved me. We promised ourselves to one another for all
eternity and daily sought new ways to express our love. Our greatest
joy was simply to be alone together, sharing our thoughts and
longings. Happily we looked forward to our wedding day.
I had reason to be excited! My Beloved is
the most wonderful Bridegroom any bride could imagine. He is kind and
understanding beyond comparison. With gentle wisdom, He listens to my
every word, shares all my concerns, and shares in all my activities. His
heart is pure and steadfast; nothing can distract Him from doing what He
knows is right.
My Bridegroom rules the richest, strongest,
and most beautiful Kingdom in existence. Therefore, He wields unlimited
power to protect me, provide for me, and make me truly happy. He is
everything I could ever want, for He is altogether perfect and
lovely!
But as our engagement period stretched
through the years with no set wedding date, I began to lose my sense of
joy and anticipation of that great day. The wonder and delight of our
love-relationship faded, as did the intimacy of our
fellowship.
Grieved, my Bridegroom reminded me, "I have
loved you with an everlasting love, therefore I will always be faithful
to you. Will you not be faithful to me?" Gently, but with sadness in His
voice, He continued. "I miss you. You are so busy these days -- so
occupied with all the good work of our Kingdom. But you don't have much
time for me any more. Have you lost your first love?"
"Oh, no," I cried. "I love you far more
than all these other things. I am so sorry I lost sight of our goal. I
became distracted and forgot what is most important. Please forgive me.
Only you, my Beloved, are my strength, my hope, my joy, and my love
forever."
Now we continue to walk together --
building our love relationship, as well as the Kingdom that we will
share for all eternity. My Beloved is always here, encouraging, helping
and loving me. How precious He is! Together we delight in our intimate
fellowship and look forward to that wonderful day when we will meet face
to face and our union will be complete. What a day that will
be!
Beloved Bridegroom, guard over
my heart.
Let nothing distract me from
the joy of your presence.
Please continue to show me the
glory of our covenant relationship and the wonders of sharing every
moment with You. And let every human relationship be richer and deeper
-- an unending expression of your faithful and enduring love --
because You live in me. Thank you, precious Lord.
See also: Psalm 16:11,
27:4, 73:26-27; Isaiah 62:5; Matthew 9:5, 25:31-34; Mark 12:30; Luke
10:41; 1 Corinthians 7:35; 2 Corinthians 11:2-3; Revelation 2:1-5,
19:7-8, 22:17,
20.
