A Prayer about Unparalleled Privilege
As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you. (Isa. 62:5 NIV)
Gracious Jesus, I know I’m not the point. I realize and rejoice in the fact that all of history is pointing toward the day when your redeemed people and the restored creation will make much of you. For indeed, you alone are worthy of such honor, praise, and glory. And I long for the day when you will finally receive the every nation, all creation worship you deserve.
That being said, it is profoundly humbling and encouraging to realize how much you make of us. Knowing you’ve forgiven all of our sins is more than enough reason to praise you for all eternity. Knowing you’ve covered us with your own righteousness is reason to praise you for ten eternities. But to realize that the righteousness with which you’ve already clothed us in the gospel is actually a wedding garment is staggering.
You’ve made a most unlikely people your bride and queen. This isn’t the story of Cinderella we’re in. There was nothing about us, or in us, that made us attractive to you. We’re the mean stepmother and the two conniving stepsisters, so ill deserving of ever knowing the unparalleled privilege of being your bride. But you’ve made us your own. You died for us, and now you live for us. You actually cherish us.
You’re preparing us for yourself through the riches of the gospel. One day we will be radiant with your beauty, for we will see you as you are and we will be made like you. But on that day, our wedding day, you will not rejoice in us one bit more than you rejoice in us today. I believe this because you do not lie. But I want to believe it with all of my heart, so that with unfettered abandon I might love and serve you so much more, well before that day. I pray in your matchless name.
Amen.