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. Isaiah 62:5
Joy.
Love. Uncontained excitement. A new name. A new home. Beginnings, long awaited,
hoped for, believed. The promise of forever. Preparing for the wedding of my
nephew, thinking on the death of two dear friends, reminds me that one day all who
call Jesus their Lord will attend a glorious wedding. We will be the bride.
The
groom’s eyes glow as he beholds his bride, joyful and radiant as she starts
down the aisle. Hopes and dreams about their new life stretch out before them.
And the guests celebrate. Clothed in their best, their finest jewelry, with joyful
smiles, they watch, a few with tears, always with prayers.
For
those who belong to the Jesus, His Church, He waits with the light of love
glowing in His eyes, His hand outstretched. As a
bride takes the name of her husband, believers will bear the new name Jesus
gives forever. Revelation 2: 17 says, “[He]
will also give that person a white stone with a new name written
on it, known only to the one who receives it.”
My
dear mother-in-law longed for that day, ready long before it came, her heart
eager to meet her Lord and behold His face. Earthly
partings contain sorrow. We don’t know when we will meet our loved ones again.
But when all true believers are gathered in heaven, nothing will ever separate
them from their Lord or their loved ones again.
One
that day, they will meet Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, and be joined with the
Bridegroom forever. And He will rejoice over them. Now is the time of preparation. The heart of the bride must be ready, longing
to please her Lord, beating faster when she hears His name, for she will be His
forever.
Matthew 25 tells of five foolish virgins whose lamps ran out
of oil. They fell asleep and missed the coming of the bridegroom. They failed
to hear his call, as one day Jesus will call all who belong to Him.
We must make certain our hearts are ready, that we are awake, prepared, and waiting for His call.
“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding
supper of the Lamb!” (Revelation 19:9)
©
Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, March 16, 2017
About the author:
Norma
Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction
Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and
poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and
in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers
and Romance Writers of America. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains
of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with
Norma:
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Thank you for this inspiring post. My mother met her bridegroom on Feb. 20 and I believe that she is reunited with her earthly husband. Comfort in the face of sorrow!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing! Thanks for sharing! My sympathy for your loss.
DeleteBeautiful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann!
DeleteLovely post. A beautiful reminder to be ready for our Heavenly bridegroom.
ReplyDelete