Marriage with a Difference

Twenty-five years ago this week, I entered into marriage.


No, not with the Builder, but into a marriage even more life-changing and more permanent than my marriage with him.


Twenty-five years ago I was saved, and entered into union with Christ: an unbreakable, eternal union. The amazing thing about this union is that the Bridegroom had everything to offer, and I had nothing. In fact, I had less than nothing.


He, from all eternity, had entered into a covenant with the Father, and the terms of this covenant meant that He would come in the flesh, live a righteous life, and die the cursed death of the cross. For me. And for all who put their trust in Him. 


We say, 'What's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours', but can you imagine what that means in this marriage?


He has His perfect righteousness that He bestows on us in our union with Him.


We can only bring our sin and our shame. Yet, He takes all that sin and shame to Himself, and makes the exchange gladly. What a Saviour! Truly we can say, 

"Nothing in my hand I bring, 

simply to the Cross I cling".

In these years since He 'took me from a fearful pit, and from the miry clay; and set my feet on a Rock, and put a new song in my mouth' (Psalm 40), He has proved Himself to be the perfect Husband. He has infinite love, infinite patience, and is faithful in all ways.


I wish I could say that, in these years, I have loved Him with all my heart and soul as I ought; and that I have been totally faithful in all my ways. But I cannot. 


But that's what is so amazing about grace. We fail; He restores. We fall; He uplifts. We sin; He covers us with His own righteousness.


If I live another 25 years, my prayer is that I would grow in love to Him, who is 'altogether lovely'; that I would be more faithful to Him who is 'faithful to the end'.


If you do not know Christ Jesus as your own saviour, may I recommend you seek Him with your whole heart. There is not one person who has put their trust in Him who would not commend Him as the best Friend you could wish for, the greatest Master you could hope to serve, and the only way of eternal security.


Unlike our earthly husbands, this One we wish to share with as many as possible. With the woman of Samaria, we wish to say, 'Come see a man who told me all things that ever I did. Is this not the Christ'. (John 4)


Come to Him. And rest totally in Him. You will find rest for your soul.