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July 1, 2020 Midweek Devotional

7/3/2020

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Scripture: Psalm 45
Meditation:
Psalm 45 is a historical poem written by the sons of Korah on the occasion of the King Solomon’s wedding.  In fact, it was probably sung at the wedding as part of the ceremony.  Its verses offer instruction to both the royal groom and his princess bride.  But this psalm also has a second meaning because it is a messianic psalm, meaning that it is prophetic in nature and points to the coming Messiah.

As a messianic psalm, the groom represents Christ the Messiah, and the bride represents the Church.  The Bible often speaks of the relationship between Jesus and the Church as that of a bride and groom.  Ephesians 5:25-27 says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”  Revelation 19:7, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”

So, what does this mean for us?  How does a poem written for a wedding that took place hundreds of years ago apply to our lives?  Since the bride represents the church in this psalm, I believe the answer can be found in the instructions given to the bride in verses 10 and 11.  Here the bride is told to forget her family, forget her friends and her hometown.  Her duty now is to her husband the king.  He is her lord and her master and her devotion belongs to him and him alone.

The remaining verses tell her if she does this she will be richly rewarded with wealth, beautiful clothes, and security.  Perhaps more importantly, she will be rewarded with the king’s deepest love and devotion. 
This, of course, is the same thing God asks of Christ’s bride, the church.  Christ wants our devotion and our love.  He wants us to make him the Lord of our lives.  In return, he promises us heavenly riches, and his deepest love and devotion, a love he has already proven on the cross at Calvary.  Like the king in this psalm, Christ has a responsibility to his Bride.  The question for us is simply this, “Will we uphold our end of the relationship?”

Reflection Questions:
Will you choose to let go of everything that hinders your relationship with God? 
​
Will you allow Christ to be Lord and Master of your life?
Knowing that you truly belong to God, how has this affected the way you live?  The way you love others?
 
Blessings for your day,
Pastor Kim
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