God made us alive together with Christ…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7 NKJV.

But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore, God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Hebrews 1:8-9.

This psalm, Psalm 45, was written by the sons of Korah for Solomon’s wedding. Tucked into psalms are prophetic messages about Jesus, the Messiah, because He was from the beginning and His truth and love are interwoven throughout all the history of us. It’s difficult to know where the psalmist is speaking about Solomon or about our Messiah. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king…Your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever…Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty…Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet…Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy…v. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7. In the notes below it says that verses 13-17 are about the bride of Christ, the Church. They are beautiful verses and well worth reading. Can you imagine how beautiful was the splendor and ceremony when Solomon was wedded? And yet, I know that it was his many brides from other nations that led Solomon into their idolatry and away from worshipping God only.

The first Scripture verse this morning is about God making us alive through Christ. Expanding it’s impact for us…As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy…made us alive with Christ…even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:1-5. We are His body and He is preparing us. Our lives are a preparation. We aren’t the ones preparing us…Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit is preparing us. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8. Solomon’s brides prepared themselves for a wedding ceremony that must have been incredibly beautiful. Jesus is preparing His bride, the Church. I don’t understand that yet. But our God does. I trust Him for all things. His Bride will not look like what we look like today. That’s okay. I think we will all like His way so much better!