Betrothed

"For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For Ihave betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:2

Imagine the church. Imagine the people arriving all dressed up. Imagine the flowers. Imagine the cleanness and the newness of it. A wedding. The wedding party enters the church as all the people crane their necks to see the bridesmaids and the groomsmen as they are standing up front so crisp and clean. The ring-bearer and the flower girl come up the aisle, so cute. And then, the doors open, the wedding march begins playing, and people stand up. There she is, the bride. It is her event. It is her day. She is dressed in lovely white. And she is beaming. So lovely, so clean, so new. No matter how familiar you are with the bride, she always looks new on her wedding day. And she is coming up the aisle, walking past all others, to be with her groom. The engagement period is over. Today is the wedding.

In the Bible, believers are collectively called the Church, the Bride of Christ. And as a believer, one day we will be united with our Groom, Jesus Christ. But for now, we are in the engagement period, or the betrothal. That isn't a word you hear much of these days. Engagement is what is used now. Betrothal is a much stronger word. If you look it up in the dictionary, it will mean a mutal contract for a future marriage. In Bible times, a betrothal was a binding period of time, where the bride was "contracted" to the groom, and no other, for a specified period of time. It was a binding contract with serious ramifications and consequences if it were broken. Engagement is a lighter term, and though there are ramifications and consequences if broken, society today seems to take it in stride.

We as believers, are betrothed to Christ, as Paul also is speaking here to the Corinthians. We are soon to be united with our Groom, and be with Him forever. There is so much encouragement in that! Think of it. Forever with the One who knows us best and loves us most! It is a truly amazing thought! So today, when you feel beaten down, discouraged, maybe even a bit depressed, think on this: you are the Bride of Christ, betrothed to Him, and soon to be united with Him forever!

Be encouraged. Be strengthened. He has not forgotten you, or me, and He wants us to be with Him. We are betrothed to Christ.