“Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness”
“He is looking for a spotless bride”
“I love you”
These are the words that echo on my mind as I pray… I wait, I listen, I long for — or do I really?
I say “I love you, LORD,” but am I capable of love? He asks for obedience but daily I mess up. He whispers, “I love you” but I can receive only a fraction of His divine grace, because I am unworthy and because I am tainted by my own disgusting will.
And yet, as I listen to piano strains of recorded music, which helps me to pause, reflect and focus on my LORD, I know He receives my heart — the little bit of good in me that has been effected by Him, and which detests the ungodly most of me.
Did Jesus really die for this ounce of goodness in me? Did the heavenly father really dedicate His own son for me? And did they allow the Spirit to dwell within me, that He might restore me to Himself?
Yes: nothing in me; all of Him in me. Oh wretched soul that I am, bless me LORD, for you are so good. You are so generous, and loving, and kind, and gracious, and — good.
He is looking for a spotless bride. We have so far to travel to become that bride. But the presence of Himself, His Holy Spirit within me, enables me to surrender. If only I will surrender. Then, and only then, am I free. And then, only then, will He come.
Jesus came to set the captives free. Freely, we allow ourselves to be captured by our will. We must surrender all to him; Jesus will return when his bride is ready. His Spirit will enable us to be ready. But only by the Spirit. Nothing we can do… all we have are filthy rags… nothing we can do can draw Him.
We who are saved by His grace… have we stopped at evangelicalism? Have we thanked him for salvation but stopped short of His infilling us? More of Him/Less of us. We are saved. But Jesus came to save, and then he left earth so that His presence would come. We need His presence to fulfil our calling to be His bride.
Let us not stop short of giving all to him, that he can give all to us. Then we can be ready to be his bride.
“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)
Amen.
