There is not another narrative in the entire world that can begin to compare with our divine love story! Long before humanity was ever created God determined that His love story would be the greatest of all stories - the one that would set the standard for all other romantic tales. His story would tell of the romance of the ages - one set in motion with the creation of man and continuing throughout the endless ages of eternity. And wonder of wonders, to our utter amazement, we discover that we play a significant role in this incredible love story. We find that we have been chosen, even before time began, to become the Glorious Bride of Christ, a Bride destined to be His eternal counterpart.
All other tales pale in comparison to the story of God's love for humanity and the great sacrifice He willingly made for her, the object of His love. Simply stated, God's eternal story is the narrative of a Holy Creator, Who so loved His prized creation that He sent His Beloved Son into the world (John 3:16) in order to rescue His beautiful, yet vulnerable maiden (humanity) who had been seduced and taken captive by an evil villain. Although it appeared the lovely maiden would be held in bondage without any hope of being set free, God had a plan, a mystery hidden in His heart throughout the timeless ages of eternity. This ingenious plan is the plan of redemption; a plan designed to release God's fallen creation from captivity and restore her unto her former place and position with Himself.
God's plan of redemption called for His Son to leave the Kingdom of Heaven and make a perilous journey to earth. This journey led Him to the greatest war ever fought - a battle with the ruler of darkness (Satan) and all his evil cohorts, which were bent on the destruction of God's treasured creation. Because of His extravagant love for His beloved creation, who was destined to become His eternal counterpart, the King's Beloved Son made the ultimate sacrifice; a sacrifice so great, so profound, and so unfathomable, it is beyond anything we can conceive. Our precious Redeemer laid down His life and shed His costly, honored Blood for the redemption of His Bride. His sacrifice was not in vain. HE WON THE BATTLE! The Prince of Heaven prevailed! In one moment, mankind's bondage was broken; Satan's kingdom was eternally destroyed, and God's creation was restored to its original destiny.
As we ponder God's eternal love story, our hearts rejoice that our Warrior Prince willingly came to this earth and paid redemption's price (His precious Blood) in order to rescue us from the forces of darkness that had taken us captive. Philippians 3:12 states: "Christ Jesus, the Messiah, has laid hold of me and made me His own". As you consider this scripture, picture in your mind the power released in your behalf as Jesus took you out of the grasp of the evil one in order to make you His Own! Oh, how we are loved! Oh, how we are wanted by our Redeemer - wanted to be His Own forever.
Many think the stories of their lives began on the day they were conceived. This is not so, for our individual stories were written before time began. Yes, the wonderful, glorious plan that God determined for each of us was written long before we were knitted together in our mother's womb (Psalms 139:16). Before our conception, God knew us. He knew we would be His Own. With wisdom beyond wisdom, we were each hand picked to fill a special and unique place in His heart. My heart thrills as I ponder the following scripture that speaks of this special place: "...God, your God, chose you out of all the people on earth for himself as a cherished, personal treasure" (Deuteronomy.7:6 MSG). Perhaps the most vivid description of the special place we hold in God's heart is found in Isaiah 43:1, 4: "Fear not for I have redeemed you- ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives; I have called you by your name, you are Mine...Because you are precious in My sight, and honored, and I love you...".
We have been chosen by God to be His Own. Being chosen by God as His cherished treasure suggests to us that there is much more in store for us than we are presently experiencing. God has plans and purposes for us that are beyond anything we can comprehend. I love the words God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah concerning His design for our lives: "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace, and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome" (Jeremiah29:11). We find in this scripture an unchangeable, rock-solid, ever-present truth that is an excellent foundation for our lives.
It behooves us to always be aware of the truth that before we began our natural life cycle, God's plans and purposes for our life had been formed and established, and our future prepared. Our Wonderful Father had already ordained our story, knowing who we would be, and into what generation we would be born. We are not here by chance or accident, but by divine appointment! We were each hand-picked by our Father God to live during this end-time generation. Just as Queen Esther, we truly have "come to the Kingdom for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). We know that Queen Esther had a great destiny, but so do we! As His Bride, God has incredible plans that will unfold through us in the closing days of time. We are about to arise in glorious splendor and wield unprecedented authority and dominion in this earth. What a destiny we have set before us! What a glorious future we are moving toward!
Even now, the story of each of our lives is being written. Our story is far superior and much more significant than we can fully envision. The choices we make will determine how our story unfolds and how it will conclude. Always remember, God allows us to choose which story we will belong to - the story He has written for our life, or the story that is outside His plan for our life.
Have you entered into this, the greatest love story of all time? Have you come into a personal relationship with the One Who came to rescue you from the evil power of darkness? IF NOT, GOD WANTS YOU TO BECOME HIS! He fervently desires you to live in the story He has written for your life. He passionately loves you and longs to be your God. He is at this very moment calling you to Himself.
If you would like to enter His story by receiving Jesus as your own Savior, tell Him so. Romans 10:9, 10 assures us, "Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses - declares openly and speaks outfreely his faith - and confirms [his] salvation." If you ask Jesus to live in your heart, Heaven's Prince will come to you, rescue you from the enemy of your soul and bring you into a relationship with Him that will secure for you, a wonderful "now" and a "happily ever after" future.
Recommended Reading:
A God in Love with His Cherished Creation
Embracing A Personal And Passionate Relationship with God
Scripture References:
John 3
Isaiah 43
Romans 10