Foundations March 3, 2011

Thursday, March 3, 2011

END TIMES READING PLAN: Isaiah 9, 11-12

SCRIPTURE READING

Psalm 2:8 I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. (NASB)

God’s ultimate purpose for His creation is to provide a family for Himself and a Bride for His Son as His eternal companion to reign with Him forever (Eph 5:31-32; Rev 19:7-9). Think about that for a minute. God’s entire plan in history is have you in his family, but not just as a son or daughter, but as a true partner. The analogy God uses is one of a bride and bridegroom. Everything that God has done throughout history has been to raise up the Church as a prepared Bride worthy of His Son. He plans to give us to Jesus as His inheritance (Ps 2:8). History is most often interpreted through the lens of significant events such as scientific breakthroughs, military crises, political developments, economic trends etc. However, we can only rightly interpret history through the lens of God’s purpose to prepare the Church as a Bride and her growth in love towards Him. Without understanding this we can have no way to accurately interpret the pains, struggles and even the celebrations in this life. Human history is not mysterious; looking to the future does not need to leave us in despair and without hope. God is building His Church as a spotless Bride to give to His Son as a precious gift. God has orchestrated history so that God’s people may seek and find Jesus!

PRAYER and MEDITATION

1. What does God’s plan to make you a true partner in His family as an eternal companion, reigning with Him mean to you? What does this say of your value to Him?

2. Spend some time in listening prayer, asking the Lord to show you how the pains and
struggles that you have faced in your lifetime have been part of His great plan to prepare a Bride for His Son.

3. Spend some time thanking God that through His divine plan, we have purpose that can only be filled in relationship with Him. Thank Him that He has orchestrated history so we can seek and find Him.