Surrendering The SecretSampel

Our Relentless Lover

Long before [God] laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.
Ephesians 1:4, THE MESSAGE

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5b, NIV

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.
Isaiah 43:2-4, THE MESSAGE

Ephesians 1:4 shows us what it means to be the “focus” of someone’s love, “[God] had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.”  

How does Isaiah 62:5 tell us a bridegroom feels about his new bride? He rejoices over her. In the same way, God will rejoice over you.

As a bride, how would it feel if your lover would give away everything in exchange for your love (Isaiah 43:4)?

What other phrases in Ephesians 1:4-7 and Isaiah 43:2-4 explain the depth of God’s desire for a deep, personal relationship with you?

In what ways is a good husband-wife relationship more intimate and joy-filled than any other human relationship? 

What does the lover-bride image tell us about the depth of intimacy and joy for which God created us?

God is thrilled about you, and He longs to see you enthused about a freer and deeper life with Him. All too often, we fall into a pattern of “lookin’ for love in all the wrong places” rather than turning to God to meet our deepest needs for intimacy, acceptance, and meaning. God is a relentless lover, but He’s also a gentle lover. He wants you to rest in His arms, comforted in those times when you’re lost, trapped, or struggling. Take comfort in knowing that even in those dark places, He’s still coming for you.

For more of this study including video teaching by author Pat Layton, visit the Surrendering the Secret website at LifeWay.com/SurrenderingTheSecret.