December 1, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Here Comes the Groom!

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Opening Prayer

I praise You, Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth. Reveal to me fresh insights from Your Word as I read it now.

Read Psalm 45:1-17

[1] For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. A wedding song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. [2] You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. [3] Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. [4] In your majesty ride forth victoriously in the cause of truth, humility and justice; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. [5] Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. [6] Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. [7] You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. [8] All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. [9] Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir. [10] Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. [11] Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. [12] The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor. [13] All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. [14] In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her- those brought to be with her. [15] Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king. [16] Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. [17] I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Reflect

“I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name forever and ever” (Psa. 145:1). We must never forget to praise our God and King.

Weddings are always special. They are long-anticipated by the couple, their families and friends. They are usually prepared with special extravagance and ceremony. They are times of deep emotion and joyful expectation. The marriage of a king is grander and more public than most!

This psalm is a wedding song for a great king and his bride. The majesty and power of the king are evident, as are the beauty and joyfulness of the bride. This beautiful song, composed by temple musicians, would have enhanced the marriage ceremony of one or more Davidic kings, but its imagery has application beyond its historical roots. This king is the representative of God himself, who reigns forever with truth, humility, justice and righteousness in a way no human king could ever do. The song anticipates the New Testament image of Jesus as bridegroom and the church as his bride. The one who belongs in “palaces adorned with ivory” (8) will one day welcome his beloved with great joy and gladness (Rev. 19:7-9).

All four Gospels used the bridegroom image of Jesus in the early days of his ministry. John the Baptist spoke of himself as the friend of the bridegroom, joyfully awaiting the arrival of the groom to secure his bride (John 3:29). Jesus, answering a question on fasting, foreshadowed a time when the bridegroom would leave his guests to mourn without him (Matt. 9:14,15; Mark 2:19,20; Luke 5:33-35). Particularly relevant is the warning in the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids that we need to stay awake, prepared and ready for the bridegroom when he arrives (Matt. 25:5,6,10). Only then will we, as Charles Wesley wrote, be “changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before [him], lost in wonder, love and praise.”

Apply

Taking vs. 2-7 as applying to Jesus, which royal qualities about him mean the most to you now? Why? Thank him for the insights you receive.

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, as part of the Church, I wait for You. Come to me anew today; grant me the anticipation I need as I wait for You to come again.

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