Jesus Wants the Best for His Bride
God's love and care for His bride is unwavering, and He works everything in her life for her absolute best.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that it breaks the Lord's heart when we doubt His ability and desire to provide the best for us, as illustrated through the story of Ruth. Ruth's unwavering love and trust in God led her to a divine appointment with Boaz, showcasing God's meticulous care and provision. Wilkerson reminds us that just as God orchestrated Ruth's life for her good, He is equally committed to His bride, the Church, ensuring that all circumstances work for our benefit. He encourages believers to rest in the assurance of God's love and provision, free from worry and doubt. Ultimately, the sermon calls us to embrace our identity as the beloved bride of Christ, who is always attentive to our needs.
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How it must break the Lord's heart when we question His ability and desire to do the best for us! The Bible tells us clearly how the Lord took wonderful, meticulous care of Ruth. Ruth pledged her love to Jehovah God and told Naomi, her mother-in-law: "Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God" (Ruth 1:16).
God loved Ruth and opened up every door for her. She was poor and had to glean in the fields, but Scripture says, "She happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz . . ." (Ruth 2:3). Now, there's not a chance in the world that this just "happened." It was the Lord's doing and He knew what was best for Ruth!
Ruth simply loved the Lord--she put all her trust in Him--and God had a very wealthy man prepared for her as a husband! Boaz saw Ruth in the fields and immediately discerned, "She's different, really different." His heart was captured!
What a love story and what incredible circumstances brought it all about. Ruth married this godly man, and if the Lord would do that for Ruth, will He not do right by His own bride, in every circumstance?
We have Someone who is richer and mightier than Boaz. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He knows all and can do all and He loves His bride! Yes, the Lords works everything in your life for your absolute best. And He takes great pleasure in doing so.
Even in suffering and trials, every lover of Jesus gets His full attention! Yet, sadly, we often do not rest in that. We doubt He is on the job at all times, working out all things to our good.
Beloved, nothing breaks His heart more! Paul describes the bride of Christ as "a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing" (Ephesians 5:27). "Wrinkle" here means "fold," as on one's face--a wrinkled brow. This speaks of worry, fretting, and Paul is saying that Jesus' bride will have no "worry lines" on her face.
The bride of Christ rests in His love. She is confident He knows where she is, how she feels, what she is going through, and what is best for her. His loves gives her peace and calm. She knows He will not allow anything that will cut her off from Him or hurt her. He is going to preserve her because He said, "She's mine!"
Sermon Outline
- I. God's Love and Care for His Bride
- A. The Lord takes great pleasure in doing what's best for us
- B. He works everything in our lives for our absolute best
- II. Doubt and Unrest in the Bride
- A. We often doubt God's presence and work in our lives
- B. This breaks God's heart and causes Him sorrow
- III. The Bride's Confidence in God's Love
- A. She trusts in God's goodness and sovereignty
- B. She rests in His love and knows He will preserve her
- IV. The Result of God's Love and Care
- A. Peace and calm in the midst of suffering and trials
- B. Confidence that God will not allow anything to cut us off from Him
Key Quotes
“Nothing breaks His heart more than when we doubt He is on the job at all times, working out all things to our good.” — David Wilkerson
“The bride of Christ rests in His love. She is confident He knows where she is, how she feels, what she is going through, and what is best for her.” — David Wilkerson
“He is going to preserve her because He said, 'She's mine!'” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Rest in God's sovereignty and goodness, and trust that He is working everything out for your best.
- Seek to know God more deeply, and to trust in His love and care for you.
- Have confidence that God will not allow anything to cut you off from Him, and that He will preserve you because you are His.