The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Tender Agony, #3

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? (Psalms 22:1)

The pain suffered by Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross of Calvary, we shall never comprehend. Only God could bear such excruciating agony of spirit and soul.

This same Christ is the Booth of God. But people also are to be the booth of God. Christ says:

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)

The great booth of the Father is to be composed of many rooms. Christ went to the cross so Israel could become part of the dwelling place of God among men.

The Jew, Peter, when he saw Christ in the Glory of His Kingdom, felt a need for a booth. But he did not understand the plan of God.

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. (Matthew 17:4)

The love of God drew Christ into total union with Himself. As soon as the obedience of Christ had been perfected by suffering, the union was complete. Because Christ is One with God He now possesses all authority in Heaven and on the earth.

The same intense love that perfected the union of Christ and God is now in Christ and extended toward Israel. The love of the Father for His elect is in Christ as a tender agony. Because of the agony of love, Christ has made intercession for Israel before the Father for two thousand years.

Christ is seeking total, perfect union with His booth, His Bride.

As Boaz spread his covering over Ruth, so Christ spreads His covering over those who are willing to receive Him. Because He died to make an atonement for our sins, God is willing to hear our prayers, even though we are filled with lust, disobedience, and pride. We are in the Divine embrace and without condemnation because of the atonement.

Now the Spirit of God, using the blood of Christ and the Word of God, is cleansing the Bride of God's Lamb. Like Queen Esther, the Bride must experience six months of the bitter and six months of the sweet before she will be ready to be brought before the King.

Christ possesses enough Divine grace to make His Bride perfect in every respect. Our responsibility is to be willing and obedient. Christ's part is to cleanse us from all that is not of the Father so we may live in perfect union with Him for eternity.

God is the Booth of Christ and Christ is the Booth of God.

Christ is the Booth of Israel; and Israel, the Bride of the Lamb, is being made the booth of Christ.

To be continued.