I managed to come down with something akin to the flu. It feels awful and I am not a good patient. It makes me feel very vulnerable to not be able to fix myself. But as I was pondering this sickness the wedding vows came to my mind. I look at several friends who are going through much more serious illness than my temporary virus. The tenderness with which a couple treats each other when one is weaker than the other through sickness, hardship or pain is beautiful to me.
Those wedding vows are a magnificent picture of Christ’s love for the church and of our love for Him. When we are born again we enter into a covenant relationship with Christ. He becomes our all in all as we are His all in all.
Our commitment to Christ is to be “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others.” Just as in marriage, things can get ugly along the way with financial problems, illness and temptations. We love God in the good times and we promise unending allegiance. But let a hard time come along and we automatically wonder what we did wrong or we wonder where God went. We feel left to our own problems, when we really are in the greatest position ever. We may even blame God when He says to draw near to Him and He will draw near to us.
God’s vows to us hold. He promises to always be with us. He promises to give us strength when we’re weak. He promises that we will reap a harvest if we don’t become weary in doing good. And even if we never see that harvest this side of heaven —to have Christ say to us “well done good and faithful servant” should be reward enough. We can love God no matter what because that’s the vow He has made to us. We can stick with God and not go after things that promise something better because He is the best and He always sticks with us. We can weather the storms in life and stay faithful to God because He promises to get us through the storms.
Oh beloved, do you know how incredibly wonderful life in Christ is? Because He gave the ultimate sacrifice for you, you can live in the light of that sacrifice knowing that God is with you. This Agape love is no ordinary affection. It is the strength in your weakness, the power in your helplessness and will help you stay courageous in all fearful situations. What wondrous vows are contained in God’s Word. From Genesis to Revelation every promise is meant for you who stay true to Him and look to Him for your answers! He will not abandon you in trials or forsake you in troubles. Just call to Him when things are hard and praise Him when things are good. He is your Savior, Your King and your Very Present Help.
God loves you and He’s for you and those vows will keep you safe all the days of your life.
Joshua 1:9 This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go
Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel,“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,Nor will the flame burn you.
Psalm 91:15 When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
2 Chronicles 14:11 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You
Jeremiah 17:7 But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Matthew 6:30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
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