This feels weird to write about.
Why?
From an earthly perspective, having become a widow in 2024, the thoughts of dating and marriage are very far from my mind.
After all, I’m still recovering from the shock of this earthly loss.
But the title question is not about earthly relationships.
It is asking what type of relationship you have with God.
Is it a relationship where you’re just testing the waters? Curious but not committed?
Or are you preparing for a relationship to last for eternity?
Further, what is God’s role in this?
Are You Dating or Preparing to Marry God?
A study of Isaiah 61
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; [1]
What is happening in this verse?
How were these events enabled?
Who is speaking? (See Luke 4:14-21 and 7:18-22)
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn; [2]
How long is the Lord’s favor compared to his vengeance in this verse?
What are the people mourning according to Isaiah 40:1-2?
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. [3]
What is happening in these verses?
Why?
They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations. [4]
How complete is the year of the Lord’s favor according to this verse?
Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;
foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;
6 but you shall be called the priests of the Lord;
they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;
you shall eat the wealth of the nations,
and in their glory you shall boast.
7 Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;
instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;
therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;
they shall have everlasting joy. [5]
How are strangers and foreigners included in the Lord’s favor?
What is the responsibility of those who already know the Lord?
For I the Lord love justice;
I hate robbery and wrong;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their offspring shall be known among the nations,
and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge them,
that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed. [6]
Why is the Lord doing these things for his creation?
What is our responsibility?
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations. [7]
Who is speaking now?
What are they rejoicing about?
How certain is this promise from God?
Are You Dating or Preparing to Marry God?
Application
Describe what changes in a relationship when we switch from dating to preparing to be married.
When other guys offered me jewelry of any kind, I had always refused to accept it. But not so with my now-late husband. The day my now-late husband gave me a sapphire ring during our dating relationship changed my thoughts about the future possibilities for our relationship.
I admit I started wearing the sapphire ring on my left ring finger just to see how it felt.
Excitement about the possibility of a serious commitment with him brewed inside of me from that moment forward.
Four months later, we planned our marriage even before either of us had even proposed!
But true to my late husband’s character, he made a proper proposal soon afterwards in a place that he knew held significant meaning to me.
Compare the characteristics of a strong earthly marriage with the study of Isaiah 61 that describes an eternal spiritual relationship with the God of creation and his servant son Jesus Christ.
I believe my earthly marriage shared many of the characteristics explored in our study today. My late husband routinely provided strength and encouragement to me in a variety of ways and always wanted the best for me. I did the same for him.
I hoped we would have sixty or more years together, as both our parents had. Sadly, we only had just shy of thirty-five years together. But I cherish the deep bond I had while he was still this side of heaven.
My prayer is that our marriage was a witness to others in this world that it is possible to have a strong earthly marriage that emulates our eternal spiritual relationship with God and Jesus Christ.
Does this comparison describe your relationship with God? Why or why not?
My goal is to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” someday from my creator.
I trust He has made that possible through His son Jesus Christ.
How has this study strengthened your understanding of God’s care for you?
I never expected to lose my earthly husband to an emotional and mental breakdown. But keeping in mind how long ago the words in Isaiah 61 were penned, along with all that has transpired in history, I am confident the Lord God is still preparing me for eternity.
Heavenly Father, what amazing news it is that you, the God of creation, have made a way for us to live eternally with you. This passage in Isaiah proclaims your amazing grace and compassion for humanity. Thank you for having done the restorative work on our behalf even though we have routinely failed to walk faithfully with You. Whether we are currently married or single in our earthly state, may we each rejoice in the eternal spiritual wholeness and abundance You will provide. Remind us daily that we can walk in step with this truth as we interact with those around us. Align our hearts and minds as your witnesses so others see the certainty of your righteousness and grace.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 61:1.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 61:2.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 61:3.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 61:4.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 61:5–7.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 61:8–9.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Is 61:10–11.