1 – “Then the king’s young men who attended him said, “Let beautiful young virgins be sought out for the king. And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the beautiful young virgins to the harem in Susa the capital, under custody of Hegai, the king’s eunuch, who is in charge of the women. Let their cosmetics be given them. And let the young woman who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti.” This pleased the king, and he did so.” (Esther 2:2-4, ESV)
RAF: The Church is that virgin bride that pleases the King most. She is the one He has set His love upon. She is redeemed, blood bought, blood washed, robed in imputed righteousness, mercied and the preeminent display of His grace – His personal favor. She is His. Father, let me live in the reality of how deep your love is, how personal it is, how majestic it is, how faithful it is, how perfect it is, how divine it is, how MINE – it is. And grant that I may love you commensurately – as much as a fallen but redeemed sinner can by virtue of your Spirit.