Reality and Relation by David Jeremiah

Thursday, May 26 Reality and Relation And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5b Recommended Reading Isaiah 54:6-8 Most Christians understand the idea that God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Every member of humankind was to bear the image of God throughout the earth to represent God’s dominion and authority over His creation. We might say that individuals bearing the image of God are to represent the reality of God in their character and behavior. But there is another dimension to God that is represented by groups of individuals: the relational part of God. Starting in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:24), God used marriage as a metaphor for how He relates to those whom He loves. Beginning with Israel, God has related to His people as a bridegroom relates to his bride (Isaiah 54:6-8; 62:5; Hosea 2:19-20). Then, in the New Testament, we find Paul using marriage to illustrate the relationship between Christ and His Church (and vice versa) (Ephesians 5:22-33). As individuals, we bear witness to the reality of God, and as couples we illustrate the relational dimension of God. Both are powerful witnesses to a watching world. Couples should consider: What do people see of God and His love when they see our marriage? A Single Thought: May our lives reflect God’s love—it is the portrait of God’s image to others.