The Bride’s Perception Of The Groom

Introduction…

Goliath was equipped with the latest military equipment and technology but was brought down by a small boy with a sling shot.

Cain brought to God the best that man could ever produce and was rejected by God.

These two represent what is going on today. We need to understand that the Christian life is all about God’s perspective. Too many people have defined God and the Christian life from the human perspective. Consequently, people have gotten the Christian life wrong.

“The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.” (E.M. Bounds, Power Through Prayer).

“Every age has its own characteristics. Right now, we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In it’s stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all.” (AW Tozer, The Pursuit of God).

Theme…Who we think we are reveals a lot about who we understand God to be.

The more I get to know God the more I understand who I am.

Genesis 1:26 – “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:”

If this is true, and it is, then the more I understand God the more I understand myself and my relationship with God.

This rules out completely evolution.

God’s word to Jeremiah explains this.

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

The passage before us, 3:6-11, establishes the foundation of our unbroken union and communion with God.

Being a Christian does not mean what many people think it means. At the very core of Christianity is this “unbroken union and communion” with God. This simply means that we have a relationship with God that is based upon fellowship and companionship. Not the technical Christianity that many people are satisfied with and find to be terribly unfulfilling.

What the bride sees in the groom…

I. Her Security (3:6-8 NLV).

“6 “What is this coming up from the desert like smoke? It has the smell of special perfumes, with all the perfumes of the traders. 7 See, it is the traveling wagon of Solomon. Sixty of the strong men of Israel are around it. 8 All of them use the sword and are very able in war. Each man has his sword at his side, keeping watch against trouble in the night.”

Nothing is more important than security. What is the basis of my security as a believer?

Do I have the confidence to truly trust God for all the aspects of my life? Or, am I trying to do it in my own strength? The bride does not rest upon her own resources.

The reason many people are up and down is that their security and confidence is rooted in their emotions.

There is nothing wrong with emotions. Some people need to have a little more emotional element in their life. This, however, can never be the basis of our security. Because, one day we might be up and the next day we might be down.

The reason our emotions vary so much is that they are affected by outward stimulation and susceptible to manipulation. This the advertises and politicians know only too well.

Paul explained this in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

“Conformed to this world” refers to outward stimulation.

“Transformed…” refers to the work of God within our lives.

My security does not rest upon my understanding of the situation or the circumstances of my situation. When I allow those things to happen, I compromise my confidence in God.

The bride here is establishing confidence and security in God because of what God has already accomplished.

We do not have to reinvent the wheel, as they say. We need to understand where we really stand with God and that when we are standing with God nobody can compromise our confidence. “If God before us…”

I like the phrase used here, “All of them use the sword and are very able in war. Each man has his sword at his side, keeping watch against trouble in the night.”

Isn’t that the kind of security you want?

Very simply put, this is saying that God’s security is my security. Whatever can destroy God can destroy me. As we know, God stands victorious over any enemy that might raise its head.