This devotional speaks volumes and some may be offended but it is the truth none-the-less!
*Imagine a groom preparing for his wedding day. He is a humble, godly man who desires to love his Proverbs 31 bride as Christ loved the church. In fact, he adores her so much that he would gladly lay down his life for her, if necessary.
He patiently anticipates the day when they will be joined in holy union. He longs to share those intimate moments and conversations which only married lovers can share.
But wait! What is this he sees? His bride-to-be is flirting with another man! And what is she wearing? She is revealing parts of her body that were meant for him! Imagine the betrayal he must feel…a pain so deep it makes him weep.
Rather than confront her when his emotions are so raw, he chooses to go for a drive. He is appalled to see her a few hours later, walking in to visit a psychic. What happened to his bride-to-be? Where is this godly woman he thought he was going to marry?
He decides to wait and see where she goes after talking to the psychic. He is astounded when he sees her pull up to a sports bar that is having a girls’ night out, male dancers included. Standing in the shadows, he watches his bride-to-be not only drinking her fill of alcohol, but also drinking her fill of men. She fixes her eyes on the dancer’s white teeth, behind a very seductive smile. She lowers her gaze to his bulging muscles and naked chest. He watches in agony as her eyes focus intently on the dancer’s gyrating hips. She licks her lips seductively, like a woman inflamed with passion. What would she do if she knew her future groom saw it all?
Jesus looks in anticipation to His wedding day. He is coming for a bride, dressed in spotless white…a bride He loves so much that He died for her. (Revelation 19:7-8; John 3:16) Unlike the fictional groom in the story, Jesus does not watch us while hiding in the shadows. He sees our every deed. He knows our every thought. How are we preparing for our wedding day with our Savior?
The bride-to-be in the story pretended to be one thing when she was with her future groom. The same thing often happens in church. We appear to be holy and righteous every Sunday, but how do we act the rest of the week?
Many in the church are committing adultery. It may not be physical adultery, but rather, adultery of the heart. (Matthew 5:28) Have you dirtied your white robe with lust?
While the vast majority of Christians would never visit a psychic, many allow the occult into their homes through books with witchcraft and occultic themes. We can also let the occultic into our home through numerous television shows. On primetime TV, there is a show whose very title leaves no doubt as to its content. Another popular show features a detective who is “visited” by murder victims as he seeks to solve the crime. As if this were not bad enough, many parents openly allow their children to view cartoons with blatant, occultic themes. Is your white robe covered in occultic graffiti?
Perhaps you have kept your robe clean from the above sins. Are you holding onto bitterness or unforgiveness? When we harbor these attitudes in our heart, they soil our white robe.
What about anger? When we give full vent to it, we spew dirty, hateful words. They drop like soot on our fine linen, leaving dirty and black holes.
What is the bride to do to get herself ready? Second Chronicles 7:14 has the answer. First, we must humble ourselves and admit we have sinned. David said when he confessed his sin, God not only forgave him, but removed the guilt of his sin. Second, we must pray. While our spirit may be willing to follow Christ, our flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41) To be victorious over sin, it is imperative that we spend time in prayer. Next, we must seek His face. In seeking God’s face, we seek truth, which is found in His Word.
The Amplified Bible says we must crave God. We need to crave His Word more than we crave chocolate or caffeine. Last of all, we have to turn from our wicked ways. True repentance is not being sorry you got caught. Rather, it is being sorry you sinned and determining to turn and go the other way.
Jesus gives a stern warning for the dying church of Sardis to wake up. If we do not wake up, He will come like a thief…unexpectedly. (Revelation 3:1-3)
Jesus is coming soon. We need to make sure that our robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14) We should strive to be like the few people in Sardis who did not soil their clothes. (Revelation 3:4)
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)
© 2007, Stacy R. Miller
Proverbs 31 devotionals
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