Day 1: The Seal on the Arm

Through the prophetic allegory of the love story in the Book of Songs, the Bridegroom King asks His bride to place Him as a seal of ownership and protection over her heart, her most private and sacred place. But soon after that, with the same determination and intensity of love, He also tells her, "Set Me as a seal on your arm."

In the Bible, the "arm of the Lord" is an impressive image of God's power. The references to His arm come from the book of Exodus. God saves His people by defeating Egypt. In Isaiah 33:2, the people cry for God to be their arm every morning, their salvation in times of trouble.

The image of the arm continues throughout the Scriptures until Jesus. All the promises of the Lord's arm moving, acting, and saving His people lead us to the Messiah – Jesus, the eternal Son, who took on human form, including two arms that would be nailed to a tree. The arm of God is more than a metaphor—He is a Person who came to bring salvation to the entire earth.

The arm, a symbol of strength and agility, is fundamental in human achievements. It enables creation, expression, and connection. Through the arm, we embrace, build, and elevate. The arm speaks of our potential, our capacity - and our work.

At this point in the bride's maturity, the King asks her to place Him as a mark on her heart, but also on her arm - her work. He says, "In all the things you do, your calling, your efforts, and your creativity, I want you to have My seal. I want to be part of your inner life and the seal of your potential."

The love of Jesus is all-encompassing to govern our inner world but also sanctify the product of our strength. In all things, the glory is His.

“The main goal of all life is not our happiness or perfection, nor the wellbeing of our fellow men, but the glory of God - the fulfillment of his will." (Charles Ellicott)

The Bridegroom King went to the most extraordinary limits possible in this universe, loving His Bride with all His heart, with plans, words, and provisions, but also demonstrated His love with actions. Jesus will have a Bride that is equally yoked with Him. For Her to be a Bride equally united with Jesus, She needs to be more than mere words, intentions, heart, and songs. All the things She does with the strength of Her arm need to be done in the name of Jesus, with His brand identity, as if it were Himself.

My Prayer:

Father God, it was by the work of Your mighty that I was saved. Thank you. I now understand that You not only saved me but bought me with the price of the blood of Your Son. All of my being belongs to you now. Your love covers every area of my life. Jesus, be the center of my inner world and the mark of my strength. In everything I do, my calling, my efforts, and my creativity, may there be the brand identity of Jesus. Use me to fulfill Your will where I am. May I represent Jesus through the work of my arm. May people know the glory of God through me. In the name of Jesus, Amen.