June is traditionally one of the most popular months for weddings. Summer is here. Kids are out of school. And people want to celebrate something after a long winter and the storms of spring.

Weddings can be elaborate or simple. Either way, the bride takes care with her dress on her special day and the groom also takes care with his appearance as he prepares to meet his bride. Their dress shows off their particular style or personality. Whether the bride walks the aisle in a simple sheath dress or a gown of lace and pearls, there is meaning in what they wear. 

There is hushed expectancy as the bride prepares to walk down the aisle. Friends and family members strain to see, some standing on tiptoe to catch a glimpse or her. They watch the groom as he stands at the front waiting for his bride to join him, wearing his wedding finery. 

My favorite part of the wedding is watching the groom and the utter joy or expectancy on his face. Several years ago I attended a wedding where the tough motorcycle riding groom had tears of joy streaming down his face as he watched his bride walk down the aisle toward him. The picture of his love was so amazing I’ve never forgotten.

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10 (NKJV)

What a beautiful verse this is, comparing God clothing us in salvation to the bridal couple in their finery. God’s gift to us surrounds us with beauty for all eternity. He doesn’t see us with all the dirt of our human nature, but clothed in His nature and cleansed from all wrongdoing. 

He covers us in garments much finer than those of a bridal couple. We are covered in His righteousness, adorned in the jewels of His choosing. We have reason to greatly rejoice—to be joyful in our God.

Our salvation is much more meaningful than a wedding and carries greater significance, but the wedding is a picture of our relationship with Christ. I wonder what expression will be on His face as we walk toward Him. Expectancy? Tears of joy? The light of His love? 

I can’t wait to see.