|
09-10-07, 01:49 PM
Part 4
Gods way of bringing together a man and woman for marriage are reinforced in the story of Isaac and Rebekah. In this story, Abraham, the father of Isaac, sends his servant to bring back a wife from Abraham’s homeland, for Isaac. The servant goes to Abraham’s homeland and there he prays for help. Genesis 24:14 says that he prayed, “Now let it be that the young woman who … replies, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink – let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac…”. The servant then goes on to bring this woman, named Rebekah, back to Isaac to become his wife. These scriptures reinforce the fact that God has “appointed” a partner for us and He will bring that partner to us.
Is God dating? In Ephesians 5:27 Jesus relationship with the church (us) is represented as a love relationship. In Ezekiel 16 Gods relationship with Jerusalem (His chosen people) is represented as a love relationship. In either case, is God dating? “The last time I checked, He was still looking for a bride, not a girlfriend…” I thank God that He is not dating! If God were dating His people then He would have broken up with us a long time ago! He would have said that we gave Him to many problems or we were not compatible enough for Him. He, more than anyone else, Has the right to break up with His current partner – but He doesn’t! God has made a commitment to us and promised that He will return for us as His pure and spotless bride.
Right now God has placed us in the period of courtship between the decision to marry us, and the actual marriage. He is developing an intimate relationship with His bride to be and preparing us for eternal unity with Him. He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us and He is not a man that He would lie. He is a covenant-keeping God who gives us a divine example of the commitment that should be found in any relationship of love and intimacy. God does not date and neither should we.
Benny and Sheree Phillips say it best when they ask,
Do you want to experience Gods best for you? Then save yourself for that one person. Save your emotions, and your heart. Save your ‘I love yous’ and your devotion. Save your affection and handholding. When Gods’ will becomes clear and you discover that special person, you will see that it was well worth the wait.
Many Christian couples and single people find themselves agreeing with the previous quote as they begin to realize that the American dating system is not Gods chosen tool to bring a man and woman together, but rather a perversion of Gods intended way, known as courtship.
Who I am hates who I've been..Washed in his blood
|