The love of God for His bride...

Isaiah 54:5
For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

No only does this passage speak of the Messiah's divine nature, but it also confirms His heart for His people. He reveals Himself as a husband; bound in everlasting covenant to provide for, protect, embrace, comfort and care for His bride. While we are unfaithful, He is faithful (Hosea). While we fragile and vulnerable, He is strong and courageous (1 Peter 3:7). While love is not inherent in the contemporary understanding of marriage, it is in God's definition.

Deuteronomy 7:9 - "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands."
Jeremiah 31:3 - "I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving-kindness."
Hosea 3:1 - "The LORD said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes."
1 Kings 10:9 - "Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel."
Nehemiah 1:5 - "Then I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,"

While this imagery begins in regard to God and Israel, it finds its fulfillment in Christ and the church. Jesus is the divine redeemer and loving, covenant-keeping husband of Isaiah 54:5.
He reveals as much in his parable of the ten brides maids in Matthew 25:1-13 ("At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.")
Paul reinforces this Old Testament imagery in Ephesians 5:31-32, ""For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church."

With Christ as my loving, covenant keeping, faithful, provider, protector and husband, I am forced to ask myself, "how I am doing in keeping my covenant and demonstrating my love for Him?" Have I been unfaithful? Have I given my love to another? Have I shamed His name? Have I been less than passionate toward Him? Have I withheld myself from Him?

Jesus, forgive me for withholding my love. Forgive me for shaming your name with bad attitudes, for conducting myself in a manner unworthy of those who belong to You. Forgive me for not depending on You for my provision, protection, comfort and care. Restore my intimacy with You and rekindle my love. Teach me again to be the bride you deserve, without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish, but wholly devoted to You. Amen.