Encouragement for Today - Feb. 14, 2007
By Rachel Olsen
“The bride, a princess, waits within her chamber, dressed in a gown woven with gold. In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king; accompanied by her bridesmaids.” Psalm 45:13-14 (NLT)
Devotion:
Once upon a time there was a handsome prince in need of a bride. Far away, in another part of the kingdom, there was a beautiful woman who possessed great potentional but was under the oppression of an envious evil-doer. So the prince, being a mighty man of justice and mercy, rescued the young woman and set her free.
She in turn couldn’t help but fall in love with her noble rescuer. “You are the most handsome of all! You are so gracious!. God himself has blessed you forever!” she exclaimed as she held tightly to his waist to steady herself on the back of his white horse. He took her to the palace where she was bathed and then covered in beautiful linens and sweet-smelling oils. The prince was captivated by her radiance and called her to his side. It seemed as if they were two pieces of the same whole, destined to come together as one.
She was advised, “Forget your people and your homeland far away. For this royal prince delights in your beauty; stay here and honor him!” In response she declared, “I will bring honor to his name,” and she set her heart on a future with him. Soon, a wedding date was set and you know the rest of the story … they lived happily every after!
How do you feel about that “fairy tale?” Do you wish that were the story of your life? Maybe you rail against fairy tales believing them to be literature used to keep women under men’s thumbs? Or maybe your reaction is, “Sweet story but definitely not plausible!”
I can think of no better day than Valentine’s Day to tell you that this tale does come true for millions of women. If you are a Christian woman – married or single – this is your story! Jesus is your rescuer … your handsome prince … your royal husband. He wants nothing more than to rescue you from the evil grip of sin and bring out the best in you. He wants to purify you with His Word and His Spirit and keep you by His side forever. Can you hear Him calling your name today? Listen, He is saying, “”How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!” (Song of Songs 1:15, TNIV). Will you respond by leaving your past behind, setting your heart on Him, and bringing honor to His Name?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Dear Lord, purify me as your bride. Mold my heart that it would be befitting the honor of marrying the Prince of Peace. All my love… In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 45 today in addition to the power verses below. It is the story of a wedding, seen as a prophecy about Christ and His bride, the church.
Today is the last day of early-bird registration for Lysa TerKeurst’s upcoming marriage coaching calls. Click here for more info.
Reflections:
Think about how you did, or you would, prepare yourself for your wedding day.
Are you putting any effort into preparing yourself to be the bride of Christ?
Power Verses:
Hosea 2:19, “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy.” (NKJ)
Psalm 36:5, “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (NIV)
Psalm 45: 17, “I will bring honor to your name in every generation. Therefore, the nations will praise you forever and ever.” (NLT)
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
www.Proverbs31.org
