You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.  You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God…  As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62, 2.3.5
Is there a woman who does not dream of being a queen?  And is there a man who does not want to be God’s beloved?
God has something similar in mind.  Although He sees the present, He knows the future!  And the future looks bright for those who call God “their God”.
This text is really about Jerusalem, the city God loves.  But we may take these words personally.  Because God loves us, we mean something to Him, He wants to have communion with us, He has joy in His children, He wants to decorate them, inside and outside!
The love of a man can change the life of a woman completely.  She is the centre of his life!  Someone gives her wonderful presents, adores her, gives her the stars from the heavens!  Now she is queen and makes herself beautiful for her beloved!- God loves His children in the exact same way.  The love of God can change a man completely.  Here is someone who trusts me with something!  Here is someone who knows my abilities!  Here I am accepted and treasured!  Here I don’t have to pretend, but can be totally myself.  God, my Father, loves me so much that I am at the centre of His thinking!
Yes, the love of God is not purely theoretical, it does change lives.  This gives us a firm foundation for our lives.  We can bask in His love, we are accepted, treasured, scrutinised, but with loving eyes … it is good to know this love and to live in it!  I don’t want to go one more day far from God’s love.  He is like a groom who rejoices over His bride.  He sees only the good, the best and the most wonderful!
Yes, Father in Heaven, You accept me!  Your arms are always open for me, and Your ear also, even Your heart is open for me!  Your love envelops my entire life!  Because I am accepted, treasured and loved, without either or!
Bible study for today:  Psalm 21, 1-14