April 2
The Gaze of the Bridegroom
“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him…”
When William Montague Dyke was ten years old, he was blinded in an accident. Despite his disability, William graduated from a university in England with high honors. While he was in school, he fell in love with the daughter of a high-ranking British naval officer, and they became engaged. Not long before the wedding, William had eye surgery in the hope that the operation would restore his sight. If it failed, he would remain blind for the rest of his life. William insisted on keeping the bandages on his face until his wedding day. If the surgery was successful, he wanted the first person he saw to be his new bride.
The wedding day arrived. The many guests including royalty, cabinet members, and distinguished men and women of society assembled together to witness the exchange of vows. William's father, Sir William Hart Dyke, and the doctor who performed the surgery stood next to the groom, whose eyes were still covered with bandages. The organ trumpeted the wedding march, and the bride slowly walked down the aisle to the front of the church.
As soon as she arrived at the altar, the surgeon took a pair of scissors out of his pocket and cut the bandages from William's eyes. Tension filled the room. The congregation of witnesses held their breath as they waited to find out if William could see the woman standing before him. As he stood face-to-face with his bride-to-be, William’s words echoed throughout the cathedral, "You are more beautiful than I ever imagined!" One day the bandages that cover our eyes will be removed. When we stand face-to-face with Jesus Christ and see His face for the very first time, His glory will be far more splendid than anything we have ever imagined in this life. -- Kent Crockett, Making Today Count for Eternity
It’s been said that what we do in life echoes in eternity. I believe this is true to some degree. Our past sins will not echo in eternity, praise Jesus, but our choices to live for Him will. Every time we say yes to Jesus we herald His praises throughout the Heavens. For the blessed bride of Christ, her heart cries to the Lord: O Lord, You are intertwined so deep within, Your brand mark of love etched upon the tablet of my heart that You are in my every thought, my every breath released into the air of Your world. My devotion is Yours, my life lost in all that You are. I don’t want today, nor do I desire to live within the shadows of yesterday; I want eternity. This is the heartbeat that drives the life of God’s woman who has completely sold herself unreservedly to His desire.
No matter where you are taken, no matter what is done to you, no matter the hopelessness or uncertainty of your life, you can boldly proclaim that Jesus is more than enough! It was the presence of Jesus that brought light into darkness illumining undying hope for all of us.
The Bridgroom is coming and his eye will be upon his bride.
Pearls of Grace is a book of devotions for the entire year, including a read through the Bible in a year calendar, broken down for every day. Beautifully written with encouraging words of hope and empowering words of joy and strength for every woman. Pam draws from the truth and richness of God's Word and gives real life examples in her down to earth style. A must have in your library, click here for more information.
For more from Pam Jenkins and Jabbok Ministries, please visit www.jabbokministries.com!
Listen to Pam Jenkins's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
For more from Pam Jenkins and Jabbok Ministries, please visit www.jabbokministries.com!
Listen to Pam Jenkins's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
