Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation” (v. 18).
Imagine for a moment that you are the young daughter of a medieval French monarch, betrothed from birth to the son of an English king to secure peace, prosperity, and loyalty between the two kingdoms. When the time came for you to be wedded to the prince, your emotions were mixed with excitement and trepidation, for though you hoped for love, the future was always a mystery to you. Tragically, your worst fears came true, for the prince was always indifferent to your acts of self-sacrificial love and respect. Now think about the unsurpassed love that God has for you and the rest of the human family. To spurn this divine love would be the greatest tragedy of all, but to return God's warm embrace realizes the unfolding of the greatest romance in history. Furthermore, as Christ's ambassadors, we have the high calling of sharing God's love story with the world so that more people can be brought into God's family. May God enable us to abide in Christ daily in light of our salvation and fill us with His Holy Spirit that we may be bold witnesses for Christ in obedience to His commission to take the gospel into all the world. (Nathan Kennedy)

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
— Henry Francis Lyte

This devotional is the Thursday, March 9, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.