“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22)

“Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.” (Psalms 45:10-11)

God’s design for marriage is a beautiful picture of Christ’s relationship with the Church.

As a matter of fact, we find in the New Testament this analogy used time and time again; in passages such as Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 21:2; 22:17; and John 3:29.

Marriage is a holy ordinance of the Church whereby one male and one female (Matthew 19:4) enter a covenant relationship for life in holy matrimony. God’s Word declares that these two individuals are made one flesh after sexual intercourse (Matthew 19:5); and are to affectionately pursue marital growth, having their hearts singly set on one another’s body, soul, and spirit.

The harmony of such individuals is a love that can’t be broken. Though times of tests and trials may come, they know that their love for one another will triumph over all that the enemy throws their direction. They know that each test, each trial, just fortifies their love for one another stronger and stronger. Such love is eternal and will never cease to exist.

So it is with the Bride of Christ; “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17). We have been made One with our Bridegroom through an Eternal Covenant, bound to Him by the Spirit of the Living God. We’re to continually strive in our spiritual relationship by setting our eyes singly on Him, and removing our focus from the things of this world.

Who wants a bride who is still looking back? One who is holding to the memories of her former years, when she was still ‘up for grabs’ by a groom? Looking back to when she clave to her mother’s bosom and abode under the protection of her father’s roof? Looking back to when she served their home by providing meals, doing laundry, and possibly caring for children? But now, she has to give it all up and serve her groom. Where she once focused on her father’s house, she now must become a single-eyed bride in her own home.

This is precisely the call of the Bride in our text verses from Psalms. The Psalmist first describes the beauty of our Lord and Majesty (verses 1-9). Then he turns his focus on the “the queen in gold of Ophir” (verses 9-17).

As her relationship grows with her bridegroom, she remembers the comforts of her father’s home. Perhaps her marriage enters into a rocky place; and she wishes to be back at her father’s house. I can see her now, crying, with a desire to talk with her mother or get some advice from her father. But she has now been carried away with her lover; she now must be a woman and make decisions on her own with her husband in mind.

The old things must pass away, because all things have been made new (2 Corinthians 5:17). She must die to that old life, in order to fully pursue the new life she has chosen. She loves him with all her heart; and his love for her brings an amazing sense of satisfaction. But there was a great sacrifice made. She had to “forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house.”

The Church of today has no less a call from Jesus. “Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear…”

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37)

“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38)

“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:39)

(See also Luke 14:25-27.)

Notice the bride has to “hearken” and “consider.” Does she realize what sacrifices must be made? Is she willing to give it all up? Will she lose her life so she can gain a brand new one? If not, she must remain desolate, with no lover, in her father’s house.

We must forsake all.

“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.” (Luke 5:11)

“And he (Matthew) left all, rose up, and followed him.” (Luke 5:28)

After she has considered the call of forsaking all, she consents to her lover’s plea, “the king greatly desire thy beauty.” This is not so much a beauty portrayed on the outside, but the beauty of her consecration, dedication, and separation solely to that of her lover. When we, from our heart, give up all of this life; that is when God is going to dwell with us in the fulness of His Glory; which we have received by grace. This is His desire. He knows it will hurt us in our flesh. But in the end, He has our best interests in mind.

Is He your Lord? Do you worship Him from the beauty of your heart? If so, this devotion describes you as a single-eyed bride. The treasures of this life have passed from your heart. You look to your Lord in service in singleness of heart. You are without spot or wrinkle, and are ready for the day of thy Lord.