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The Bridegroom Sought Me

Today I read: 2 Kings 10-11, Psalm 60-61, Hosea 2, and 2 Timothy 1.

Gospel summary: The gospel is the good news that our holy God came to us in the midst of our spiritual adultery and wickedness to endure the punishment we deserved, so that he might unite himself to us in an eternal covenant of loving marriage, and protect us from all our enemies.

Prayer: O gracious God, thank you for lavishing you're amazing grace on me in the gospel of your Son, though I was busy sleeping around with my dead idols. It is beyond my human comprehension why you would unite yourself in the covenant of marriage with such a worm as I, but I praise you nonetheless. You have cleansed me by your own precious blood and taken the vain idols out of my heart, making me into a spotless bride by crediting your righteousness to my account. Grant me to be so stunned as I ought by this wonderful gospel today, so that I may even follow you to suffer with you outside the gate. Give me a fearless confidence in life, knowing you have promised to never forsake me, but to eternally protect me by your mighty power. In Christ's name, amen.

Memory verses: "For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord." (‭Hosea‬ ‭2‬:‭17, 19-20‬ ESV)

Hymn: "In Tenderness, He Sought Me" by W. Spencer Walton

In tenderness He sought me,
Weary and sick with sin,
And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again.
While angels in His presence sang
Until the courts of heaven rang.

Refrain:
Oh, the love that sought me!
Oh, the blood that bought me!
Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,
Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

He washed the bleeding sin-wounds,
And poured in oil and wine;
He whispered to assure me,
"I've found thee; thou art Mine";
I never heard a sweeter voice;
It made my aching heart rejoice!

He pointed to the nailprints;
For me His blood was shed;
A mocking crown so thorny
Was placed upon His head:
I wondered what He saw in me
To suffer such deep agony.

I'm sitting in His presence,
The sunshine of His face,
While with adoring wonder
His blessings I retrace.
It seems as if eternal days
Are far too short to sound His praise.

So, while the hours are passing,
All now is perfect rest;
I'm waiting for the morning,
The brightest and the best,
When He will call us to His side,
To be with Him, His spotless bride.

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