Tag: husband

The Church, All believers, will be the Bride of Christ

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In the Old Testament, God is referred to as our husband. This is more fully defined when one considers the idea in Revelation where the Church, all believers, are called the Bride of Christ. God in His grace and wisdom is actually both. He is the one who cares for widows and says He will be their husband. Isaiah’s words spoken to the Israelites were an encouragement to them. He wanted them to know in spite of their past sins, God was there steadfast and true. He would stand with them.

Isaiah 54:6 “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
    be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
    and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.” Isaiah begins in verse 6 with truths about no fear and no shame, all will be forgotten which was so reassuring and then he launches into a glorious piece of scripture that shows God as husband, redeemer, Lord of Hosts, and God of the whole earth.

Isaiah 54:5-8 “For your Maker is your husband, God is creator, husband
    the Lord of hosts is his name; Lord of Hosts
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, Holy one of Israel, Redeemer
    the God of the whole earth he is called. God of the whole earth.
6 For the Lord has called you
    like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off, God saw your pain
    says your God.
7 For a brief moment I deserted you, You were deserted, to Babylon for a brief time
    but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing anger for a moment
    I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” God loves you.
    says the Lord, your Redeemer.

The relationship between husband and wife is a picture of God and His people. The husband is to care for his wife as Christ loves the believers. In Revelation, Christ is named as the Lamb and the Church, all believers, are to be His Bride! There will be a huge feast in heaven to celebrate.

Revelation 19:7-8 “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;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” The Bride of Christ is clothed in fine line, bright and pure which represents the righteous deeds done by believers in the name of Christ.

What about these images brings you peace and hope? I take comfort in knowing that God is my husband and stands in with all widows and those who are alone. I know the relationship of husband and wife is a caring one where God will watch over me as no one else ever can. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can participate in the marriage of the Lamb in heaven and until then He will be with me standing beside me and upholding me. The wedding feast will be a joyous event as all the Church will be with Him in heaven.

Linda

What Role Does God Play in Your Life?

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I am excited to continue in Isaiah as there is so much yet to be learned and discovered! I pray you will continue with me on this journey. After the 4th and final Song contained in Isaiah containing a vivid description of our Savior, Jesus, Isiah continues in his words of encouragement from God to the people of Isael. God knows that they will need these words as they languish in exile in Babylon. In Isaiah 54 we find words to build up Isarel as God knows they will be feeling discouraged, ashamed and downtrodden when they reflect on their sin and disobedience towards God and the time they spent in Egypt and in Babylon.

Isaiah 54:4-5 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
    Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
    and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
5 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.

These verses are filled with truths that are timeless and can be applied to our lives today. The Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, can cover my shame and alleviate the pain that it causes. He can cause me to forget things from my mind so that I will no longer dwell on them. Both of these are priceless promises that can and do help me to live for Him for today and not be stuck in the past. God did not want the Israelites to mourn and be consumed with their past failures but to look forward and let Him carry the past pain. He desires the same for you and me today.

In verse 5 God lists for me the roles He desires to exercise in my life if I will turn to Him and trust Him. He promises to be my Maker or Creator, Husband or loving caretaker, companion, Almighty God who is the all-powerful one in my life and world, Holy One who is pure and spotless, Redeemer, Savior or the one who went to the cross to save me so I can be in a relationship with Father God, and Sovereign God who is above all, in all, completely in charge so that nothing escapes His power and might.

I would echo the words of David from Psalm 89:8 “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” God is the one and only God and only He can take care of you perfectly. I love Nahum 1:7 and claim it often, “The Lord is good,  a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” As you ponder these verses today, may the Lord show you how He is your Creator, Husband, Almighty God, Redeemer and Sovereign Lord.

Linda

How To Live that Best Life!

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Colossians 3:18-25 is a good housekeeping passage. Paul explains ‘best’ case actions and reactions in relationships. Here is the passage from the Message translation. (The Master is the Lord God, the master is the owner of the household or your employer.)

Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. 19 Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them. 20 Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.21 Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits. 22-25 Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.“

All relationships are to be done keeping Christ in mind. He is the head of the family and all work, actions, deeds and words need to be done to honor Christ. Yesterday’s passage summed it up beautifully in Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Whether you are the wife who is called upon to honor and show respect to her husband, the husband who is called to love his wife as Christ loves the church, the child who is called to obey their parent, the slave or worker who is called to do good work for your employer, all relationships are to be done to the Lord. Our point of view needs to be, we do everything for Christ. Our relationship with Christ guides all our words and deeds, as His ways are for our good and His glory!

This point of view comes into direct opposition to the world view of me first, my way, looking out for number 1-ME. Christ’s way has us put Him first. Earlier in this chapter Colossians 3:1-2, Paul said, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Keeping this perspective is pleasing to God and leads us act according to Micah 6:8 ” O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy,  and to walk humbly with your God.”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am called to live a life that is honoring to Christ by giving my best in all I say and do.

Linda