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     I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  2 Cor. 11:1-3

     Gracious Lord Jesus, as I pray my way through this Scripture this morning, two things stand out with flashing neon brilliance. First of all, we already belong to you as a washed, cherished and betrothed bride. This is our defining identity as your called-out, beloved people.

     We are those upon whom you have set your heart, for whom you gave your life, and to whom you are returning as a great Bridegroom. Hallelujah, many times over. No other relationship gives us the peace, hope, and joy that we find in you.

     This underscores the second thing that stands out in this Scripture: the intensity of Satan’s hatred for the “first thing”—your great love for us. This is what spiritual warfare is all about. He’ll do anything possible to lead us astray from our sincere and pure devotion to you.

     Satan hates your love for us and he hates our love for you. He’ll let us be anything other than a people filled with deep affection and devotion to you. Whether overtly through condemnation and persecution, or covertly through seduction and prosperity, his strategy is the same—to steal our hearts away from you.

     Lord Jesus, he won’t succeed; for you have crushed his head and you have won our hearts forever. But send your Spirit with fresh convicting and invigorating power. Wake us from our slumber. Restore to us the bridal affections we had for you at first. Rekindle the fire and passion we experienced when it first dawned upon us that you chose us, redeemed us, and betrothed us to yourself.

     We’re counted as pure virgins only because you’ve clothed us with the bridal gown of your perfect righteousness. We’re devoted to you, Lord Jesus, only because of your irrepressible love and inviolate devotion to us. It’s all of grace, from beginning to end. So very Amen we pray, in your most loving and faithful name.

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