Hosea chapter 2 verses 19-20 (NIV)
I will betroth you to me forever;
I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,
in love and compassion.
I will betroth you in faithfulness,
and you will acknowledge the LORD.
In the biblical sense to betroth literally means, “by my truth I bind myself to you,” so that this was as solemn a covenant as the marriage itself. Here we see God is promising that covenant, even to those who have in the past been unfaithful to Him.
The righteousness, justice, love and compassion and faithfulness are available to us now. That covenant was made by Jesus. Yes, we as Christians are part of Christ’s bride, the church, and in Glory we will see the completeness of that covenant. But we have access now to these things as the betrothed of the Lord. How then can we doubt just how much He loves us?
Dear Lord,
This is a reminder of what Paul taught, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us and betrothed us to Him. Help me to cherish that relationship as a promise of what’s to come, and yet live in the fullness of that betrothal now. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.