The Mysterious Marriage

Today my devotional was once again talking about the "bride" of Christ, here's what it had to say..
Lord I am having trouble with the idea of your people (Israel; the church) as your bride. Carlo Carretto wrote, "it is difficult to make a marriage between two persons who are in such different circumstances. He brings you his all, while you can only bring him your nothing". That image of marriage unsettles me. My husband and i strive to find balance, to shoulder responsibilities based on strengths and gifts. "submit to one another our of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). But between you, the Lord, and the church, there is definitely an imbalance. She could never be a worthy bride for you, and yet you call her so. She owes you a debt she could never hope to repay-one that should rightfully make her your slave- and yet you waive it all to have her beside you, free and freely loving you. Her love for you will never be as great as yours for her, yet still you would have her. Somehow her flaws and failures don't push you away, though at times  she makes you angry. In the end, her home is by your side for all eternity- though she is there by grace and grace alone. What prompted this betrothal in the first place? - Sarah Arthur.

This made me think about us and our relationship with God, how sometimes we fail to love the one who is proposing his love to us daily. But despite our humanness he is still there loving us with everything in him, despite the hurt we may cause him, he is still there to pick us back up and carry us in his loving arms. Unlike people, he loves us despite our failures, weakness, and brokenness. Just think...The God of the universe loves us...me and you, normal everyday people...even when we feel like we've failed, he's right there to take our hand and put us back on the path to him. amen! This made me think about what God has been teaching me lately, okay here it is: that he loves me more than i could ever imagine...i don't know about you but that fills my heart so much! Isaiah 43 is my daily reminder of his love. so grab your bible and soak up Isaiah 43.

Isaiah 62:1-5 says...
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
   for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,
till her vindication shines out like the dawn,
   her salvation like a blazing torch.
² The nations will see your vindication,
   and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
   that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
³ You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand,
   a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
⁴ No longer will they call you Deserted,
   or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah,
   and your land Beulah
for the LORD will take delight in you,
   and your land will be married.
⁵ As a young man marries a young woman,
   so will your Builder marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
   so will your God rejoice over you.