Text: Song of Songs 1:1-2:7, Psalm 45:1-17, Isaiah 11:1, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
I am such a fan of love poetry. At root, all love poetry is aiming for the same thing: connection. Although ancient love poetry has a different flavor than modern love poems, we can see the same longing for intimacy in both.
For centuries, Song of Songs was primarily read as an allegory for Christ’s love for His Church. And while a purely spiritual interpretation of the poem certainly does seem possible, we can also see from other passages of Scripture that God celebrates married love (Ephesians 5:25), and He values our human connections (John 15:17). So it is safe to read this poem as a human love story, while also noting that we can only love because we are loved by Christ (1 John 4:19). And indeed, in the history of Israel, the theme of marital unfaithfulness is a common one.
As we look at this poem, it’s helpful to have a little roadmap to give structure and understanding. Many Bible commentators point out that Song of Songs was written using a chiastic structure, meaning the poem sort of mirrors itself when it’s folded in half. So the first day parallels the last day, beginning and ending with an invitation to enjoy a spring day and culminating in the middle with the marriage.
Beyond that, this love story is also structured like a play, with speakers given for each role. As you read, it might be helpful to imagine this as a stage play and see each of the speakers as characters distinct from the others.
And finally, we can consider Song of Songs in light of God’s covenant with King David, who was Solomon’s father. God had promised David that his people would be God’s people.
Unfortunately, his son Solomon didn’t have a great reputation when it came to fidelity. But through Solomon’s marriage to Shulamith, she was joined to the same covenant God had promised to David. Once an outsider, she was brought into the fullness of all the blessings afforded to David’s people, and therefore, God’s people. In this way, the poem also illuminates the beauty of God’s covenantal blessings.
The layers of imagery and complexity are rich indeed. But even without all these tools, we can look into this intimate love poem between two lovers who lived thousands of years ago and find the truth, goodness, and beauty of the gospel.
How wonderful that God tells us the story of His love for us not only in commandments, in teachings, in lessons of history, and in the very person of His Son, but also in a love poem. God’s design for love is both intimate and grand in scale, presenting love in the context of marital fidelity and covenantal blessing. The central idea is an intimate tie: “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” He protects us under His banner, and that banner is love (Song of Songs 6:3; 2:4).
In this Song, God provides us with a rich celebration of faithful love between the bridegroom and the bride. It’s about a couple on their wedding night, and it’s about a God who loves His people more than they can understand. “It is a profound mystery,” the love Christ has for the Church (Ephesians 5:32).
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111 thoughts on "A Song of Love"
I think that in the time of singleness it is more important than being in a relationship because you need to grow and know yourself then learn how to love others.
I’m praying this for you, sister.
Honestly, my husband & I didn’t get married the biblical approach we should have. But I have grown in my faith over the years & my sister is (soon to be engaged). She brought up this study to me & I thought I may try it out. Maybe the Lord will speak some healing and truth into my marriage.
I just love that last line, Sabrina! Know it’s been a long time since you wrote this post, but praying for you now as a fellow single woman.
i am a teenager reading this wanting a relationship and hearing that god loves me and not to lower my standards for a boy made me happy
You’re not alone! I’m right there with you. I’ve been single for six years as well, and I’m now 31. While I’m not dating, I’m in a place where I feel like God is asking me to prepare for marriage, so I’m reading this. Sometimes it feels hopeless, but God always reminds me that even in our singleness, He has a plan. I’ll be praying and believing for both of us!
I love how excited the bride is about their bed being verdant. I looked it up and it means green as a color, but also means green as in “Unripe in experience or judgement.” In the culture today, entering a marriage inexperienced physically is often considered a disadvantage, and while there are still people who choose to remain inexperienced, many due so begrudgingly for varying reasons, but this woman in the passage is delighted by this inexperience she and her groom have. How sweet is that?! I wonder what she would say to us today.
In answer to Sabrina, your heart is beautiful! I heard a great definition of peace once. It is “Nothing missing, nothing broken.” It is unfortunate that there is so much pressure on young people in the religious world, to marry, and if not married, there is a stigma of being “broken and missing something” that a young person has to carry. Well, Jesus carried this same stigma – even more so – as it was rare to be a single Jewish man at his age. Marriage is difficult, (speaking as someone who didn’t finally marry until she was in her mid 40’s) if you are Christ-centered, can be a distraction towards an absolute devotion to Christ and His Kingdom’s needs. Marriage and children, by nature, is physical, and Christ and His Kingdom is by nature, spiritual. Marriage is a big decision, and not something that I believe is the focus of the Song of Songs. It is written for everyone, whether single or married, and if interpreted correctly, should catch our *spiritual* life on fire. I wish you this gift, dear one, of peace.
Am I the only single & not dating woman on here reading? Cause I hope not. I’ve always felt intimidated by this book and somehow got the impression that it wasn’t for me to read because of my consistent & uninterrupted singleness. I’ve only been in 1 relationship before & there wasn’t any fruit bearing from it so I broke it off; it’s been 6 years since then and I haven’t been on a single date (and not because I wanted it that way, I’ve just never been asked). While I’m disappointed, I know there is purpose in it. I’m almost 26 now & I’ve only recently begun to again entertain the hope of getting married. I’m being discipled by an older woman and she has been so helpful in showing me how to have faith in all areas of my life. If I had the faith to believe He would miraculously heal me from my chronic illness of over a decade (which He did), why is it so hard for me to believe He has my future marriage in His hands too and that He WANTS to bless me with the gift of marriage? The Lord has shown me my heart & it’s not anywhere near in a place to be dating because of many things but especially my fear and distrust of the Lord in this area of my life.
As I go through this study, please be praying for me to see that His Word in its entirety was made for me to read and know and live out. Pray that I don’t let lust and marriage be idols in my life. And also please pray that I can and will be completely satisfied in Christ so that to embrace the fact that I am a bride with or without being a wife.
I know it’s been several months, but I am praying for you this morning for faith and for God to bring to reality this dream you have. I wasn’t married until I turned 25, 2 years ago, after a broken relationship and my heart being broken for a long time. It was such a wonderful thing to be married older. And so incredible to see God’s love for me in giving me the desire of my heart (Psalm 37:4). I am praying this for you today.
I’m new here, to She Reads Truth. What a beautiful concept! Naturally I went straight for the Song of Songs section, to start here. You did a great intro to this book. But my sense is that the Song’s heavenly meaning is hidden, dressed in the earthly garb of sexual metaphors – even as Paul said that marriage is a “shadow” of the much higher reality that we have in Christ. Applying the Song primarily as a marriage manual, and secondarily toward our relationship with Christ, is a little like trying to get warm by huddling around a candle. A candle has some warmth, but not nearly as much as the raging fire of God’s love, and a marriage to Him, which unlike earthly marriage, is eternal and continuously HOT HOT HOT! :-)
Iam my beloved’s and my beloved is mine
I have read this study before but this time I’m reading it differently. I am engaged and though I love my fiancé dearly, I’m very nervous for marriage. At the beginning of engagement, I was really diving in to the Bible and leaning on God to combat my fears and anxiety. I was doing really great until I had a very difficult women’s health screening that was both physically painful and emotionally damaging. I was angry with God and had a hard time being around and trusting my fiancé to be gentle and helpful, though he had done nothing wrong. So now I feel like I’m back to square 1 and decided to reread this study like I had at the beginning of engagement. This time I’m approaching it as if God is telling me this directly instead of reading it like a couple speaking to each other. Through this study I am praying for healing, courage, and peace, desperately needing God to lead me through these last 2 months of engagement.
This was fantastic! I’m engaged and I’ve always been fascinated with this book and God’s views on what a healthy marriage centred around Him looks like!! Can’t wait to keep going into this study! Best app ever!
That makes me feel better. I think that most young adults just have this pressure on them that if they are dating someone, it needs to be super serious and they need to be dating for marriage. I have so much fun with my boyfriend, but I don’t see myself getting married for a long, long time. I’m learning that’s it’s okay to date someone without being ready for that type of commitment, as long as we are honoring God and each other. Thank you for sharing that article with me.
I am currently in a relationship with a God-fearing man who treats me so well and believes that I deserve the world, but for some reason I’m not happy…. I can’t tell if I really like him or if I just admire the way he shows how much he cares about me. I am 23 years old and this is my first real relationship. I’m trying to learn how to love and let others in, but it’s hard. I seem to always find myself wanting to be single and on my own. Christ’s love is all I’ve ever truly needed and I have never felt any sort of void in my life just because I was single. I wanted to read Song of Songs to maybe get a better understanding of this kind of love. I know God created a romantic kind of love for us to enjoy, but I have to ask, is everyone meant to fall in love and get married someday? I almost feel guilty for not desiring that….
Have you spoken with your pastor/older godly women in your life about the gift of singleness? I think our church culture, while esteeming marriage (rightly) ignores the gift of singleness (wrongly). It’s definitely not for everyone, but it’s definitely something that merits your prayers for discernment. I’m so happily married to an awesome man, and there are glories in marriage. But there are also glories in singleness. http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-singleness-is-good
Does anyone know of any books that describe what SOS are talking about using today’s words?
3 As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
so is my beloved among the young men.
With great delight I sat in his shadow,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
What does that actually mean?
Try reading the Bible version -> The Message
To me it means, in a world full of men my one and only stands out. Shadow or not, I am happy in his presence. Anything he gives me brings me joy.
This is my first time with this app and I love it because it helps me to really think about the way of the Lord and how he is making a difference in us.
Welcome, Michelle! So glad to have you studying with us!
– Stormye
This is my first time using this app but I love it because unlike other Bible apps this one helps you implement God’s teaching in our lives.
Welcome, Allyson! So grateful to have you reading God’s Word with us!
– Stormye
That’s so good
It wasn’t until I thoroughly read all of the Scripture passages for today that I understood why God was choosing Song of Songs for my alone time with him. In order for me to have the blessing of meeting my future husband, I first have to accept God’s love for me and I also have to love myself just as I am. Like 1 Corinthians said, right now I’m only looking at a reflection in the mirror, but once I can accept myself as an awesome work of God I will see face to face. The only way for your heart to have the ability to truly love someone and accept the love described in 1 Corinthians is to let God love us and show us how to love ourselves as he loves us: unconditionally, relentlessly, and deeply.
This is my first time reading your devotionals. I love it! Thanks!
Love loveeeeee Song of Songs. My husband is currently deployed so reading that made my heart almost explode with love and want to hug my, oh so far away, husband!
Just wanted to say this is my first time using the app, and oh how encouraging it is to read all your notes! Love this and what a wonderful book to start out with!
Welcome, Hannah! We are so glad to have you in the SRT community!
– Stormye
This is my first time too.
Hello! I’m using the book, and am wondering why the devotion part isn’t in the book like it is on the app. :)
This is such a lovely book and a true blueprint for love and intimacy. How wonderful it is that our Lord included this in His word!
I agree! It’s so wonderful.
Last week my boyfriend broke up with me. I am so overwhelmed with pain and loss. I love him and am struggling with letting go of him, our life together, and my dreams of our future. He is afraid of marriage. It’s nice to read these verses and think that I have a God who loves me. Maybe God has a bigger plan for me.
He has a MUCH bigger plan for you both!! Whether its getting back together eventually or finding someone else, the waiting in God’s time is worth it. Focus on bringing yourself closer to Christ and making yourself more like Him. You WILL make it through this. Keep your eyes on the greater prize: Jesus.
Carissa, the same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago. I weep with you. I know it’s tough, but God is working on our behalf even when we don’t see it. He is good and sovereign.
I have struggled. I am single and feel lonely. I know that God is here for me but I want something physically to hold onto and to protect me. Please pray for me. I feel like I can’t tell my youth group because they will be ashamed or make it awkward me being the worship pastor’s daughter. PRAY FOR COMFORT PLEASE.
Praying that God would meet you in your longing, provide comfort for you, and give you a friend or a mentor that you could share this burden with. xoxo
Mayzie, you are not alone. At 40 years old, just this year, I am engaged. That means for 20+ years I felt exactly the way you express. I wanted a companion, a hug. I wanted someone to be there with and for me. Don’t get me wrong, I have lots of amazing friends and a wonderful family, but God did create the female to desire her husband. I don’t know God’s plans for you, but I do know they are worth it!! They are worth the waiting, the crying out to him, being true to your beliefs, and walking in simple trust! In all that, I had to find physical ways to receive comfort from God: I use a special lotion in my quiet time– the familiar smell begins to remind me of Him. I wrap in a heavy blanket. I drink some coffee or tea. They sound like nothing, but truly when I do that I sense the physical presence of a hug that I long for. I can’t tell you how many times the Lord has TRULY hugged me!! You are not alone in your struggle. The girls in your small group feel the same way. So do their mothers- especially if they are single moms. If they are safe, trusted people, pray through this together. God wants you to be near to him in all ways. I will be praying for you. Thanks for sharing.
And now that my soon-to-be-husband is in my life, those hugs mean SO much more after being faithful in the journey!!!
Colleen – thank you for sharing this. Praising the Lord for all of these sweet encounters with Him and praying over your future marriage. Grateful for you!
– Stormye
Going through a hard time with my gentle, loving boyfriend. I struggle to open up to him – which has unearthed buried anxiety, perfectionism, and a belief in a goodness gospel that I haven’t addressed in so long. I’ve bought into the lie that if I work harder, push further, become better… God will love more. Reading through this book is such a balm to my soul. It reminds me of Christ’s perfect love for me, given to me freely and so sweetly even though I could never earn it myself. I’m praying through how to fully grasp the concept of grace. And praying for how to let love in.
1 Corinthians 13:4 is the most beautiful verse! It gives me something to strive for not only in my marriage but in all my relationships!
The Passion Translation: Song of Songs: Divine Romance written by: Brian Simmons
About:
Breathtaking and beautiful, the sweetest Song of all ages unveils the Shulamite journey in the form of an anointed allegory. It becomes a journey that not only describes the divine parable penned by Solomon, but also a journey that longing lovers of Jesus will find as their very own. Love will always find a language to express itself. The inspired Song of Songs is a work of art. It is a melody sung from the heart of Jesus Christ for His longing Bride. Its storyline is full of symbols and subtle art forms which, without interpretation, are often missed or overlooked. The Holy Spirit has hidden within the Song of Songs an amazing story a story of how Jesus makes His Bride beautiful and holy by casting out her fear with perfect love. This revelation sent from heaven is waiting to be received with all its intensity and power to unlock the deepest places of our hearts.
Personal Review:
Yes! Yes! Yes! This Book’s MESSAGE IS TRULY GOD-Sent & I believe written specifically for Me to Read at this exact moment in time so that I could better understand Our Eternal Journey. All the While, having My Blessings, Privilege, Honor & My Heart’s True Love Multiply Greatly having read this book! God’s Eyes are indeed In Me, On Me & ALL Around Me! He knows Absolutely EVERYTHING about me & He Loves Me! I’m His Heart’s True Love and He is Mine- Forever and For Always – We Are United as ONE – FOR ALL ETERNITY! Amen
I believe that this book is a ‘Must Read’ – Brain & Candice Simmons are the writers of “The Passion Translation” of the books of the Bible & They are beautiful!
After being a Christian for 20 years, I just recently got married and have not read Song of Songs. It is good to learn about the intimate love Christ has for us and the love I should show my husband. I’m excited for the rest of the series.
Taylor, I’m in a very similar place to you! I’ve never read it before either, and with marriage on the horizon for me, I want to read as much as I can!
So good to be reminded of God’s love for me and the love I should show my husband.
I loving this book I love this now back on the book
<3
Love the idea above that Song of Songs is not only a picture of how passionate and beautiful and pure love should be (in a marriage and between Christ and His church), but also that it is a picture of a gentile coming into God’s family: a foreshadowing of what Christ’s work on the cross would do for all–Gentile or Jew. She is different, but she is deeply loved. I am not perfect, but I am dearly loved. I am loved by Someone who sees me for who I truly am and even still desperately, openly loves me. And this is what would drive me to love. To love like Christ loves the church.
I’m engaged to be married right now, and this passage helps me understand how to love my husband-to-be; to champion him and mark our relationship with joy that comes from closeness with God. This past season has been dark for me, so to have him not only stay with me but propose within it spoke volumes of his love for me and trust in God’s command to marry me. I yearn to pour out blessings on this man’s head, and studying this scripture helps me learn how!
At the same time, I only learn to love my fiancé more as I fall deeper in love with Jesus. These precious words drop into the core of my being and refresh my soul. “His banner over me is love” – what a perfect quote for SRT to extract. I am marked by perfect love. That is what defines me, what goes before me. The love of my Father <3
The last time I tried reading through Song of Solomon, I giggled most of the way and couldn’t interpret what that kind of love might be like. I was probably 17.
I’m now 32 with the life experience of divorce now in my history. I’ve tried to love since then and after dark periods of loneliness and the resulting depression, I’ve finally found my way back to God’s love. So, it’s time to try really understanding what God has spoken through Solomon.
Loneliness and depression are so hard to deal with especially because you’re already feeling so alone. I also have delt with these feelings during many seasons of my life. It was harder for me before I accepted Jesus as my Savior. But now I know that when the world is causing these feelings to arise and reek havoc on my mind, Jesus, my biggest champion, is always here to help me through it. He has been the ONLY thing to get me through some of those times. “There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning” peace be with you Lauren!
I had a rough day today and was feeling a bit annoyed with my husband. This study reminded me of our promises to each other and I really needed that today.
The passage in 1 Corinthians always speaks to me when I read it. I love the way God has clearly spelled out how or love should look because love is not just a feeling, it’s an action towards others. Looking forward to this study!
This is going to be my first time reading this part of the Bible and I am excited. Cannot wait to dig deeper with you ladies!
Wow! I’m so excited about this study! I realized as I was reading through the passage from 1 Corinthians that I want my love to be just like that. I want to love like Jesus. That passage spoke so loudly to me… I want to write it out and put it all over my house. I want it to remind me daily of how I want to love. The two greatest commandments are to love God and love others. If we could all commit this passage to heart, how well would we be able to love???
I realize how sad it is that I say I love, but then I can be impatient or unkind; envious or boastful; arrogant and rude; selfish, irritable, or resentful; not always truthful; not willing to bear, believe, hope and endure through the hard times. I know we’re human, and we can’t be all that Christ is right now, but I want to do better. I want to strive for better…. each and every day. So, that verse that we all know so well, but I so often tend to forget… I want to write it out. I want it to be something I live out a little better each and every day… for my sweet husband, my kids, my parents, my brothers, all my family and friends, and for my neighbor (whoever God may place in my path). Papa, thank You for this study. Thank You for SRT!! I have been so blessed by all of the studies I have done so far. I look forward to going even deeper with You!!
I absolutely LOVE that Song of Solomon is our next study!! Yessss! So many ignore this book altogether or just try to gloss over it. I think it’s such a beautiful portrayal of covenant love and I’m super stoked to read it with all SRT ladies :)
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
I love these thoughts from Christ Is All in the book The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett:
“Deepen in me a sense of my holy relationship to thee,…Thou hast loved me everlastingly, unchangeable, may I love thee as I am loved; Thou hast given thyself for me, may I give myself to thee; Thou hast died for me, may I live to thee, in every moment of my time, in every movement of my mind, in every pulse of my heart.” As a married woman, I can appreciate the Song of Songs for its picture of the sweetness of marital love. But as a believer, I can appreciate it as a tiny picture of the depth, wholeness and purity of Christ’s love for me as part of the church. His love for us in unveiled and complete! Oh, may I love Him and long for Him as He has loved me!! There’s quite a few comments from beautiful, single ladies here who are shying away from this book of the Bible….my encouragement, is to forge on through this study, looking for the depths of Christ’s love for you! In my humble opinion, I think Jesus often reveals Himself even more closely to the single folks, whether never married or widowed, because He is just that awesome…meeting every need for communion and love…until He blesses with a human substitute??
sorry for the typing errors….should say “everlastingly, unchangeably” and “His love for us is unveiled and complete”
I was so excited to see a study on SOS! For so long I’ve deeply longed to be married and to get pursue someone with the love Solomon and Shulamith did. I’ve never been in a relationship and never been asked on a date. I know I am young at only 22, but as more and more of my friends begin entering into marriage and those dating relationships, it is a pang in my stomach. I ache and yearn for that to happen. I know that it’s not His rejection of me, but His protection. And I know he will be faithful to fulfill what He has promised, but lately I feel like I’ve forgotten that. I got discouraged about a specific situation/person and now it has affected what I believe about the general promise that there is someone out there for me. Through this study, I LONG to LONG FOR JESUS the way I’ve longed for marriage and an earthly companion. Through the disappointment and yearning, Lord… would you do something here? I want to want you so much more fervently and passionately.
Lauren, you are me at that age. I had never been in a relationship at 22. A lot of my friends were already on the marriage train by that time. I had my ups and downs and it sounds like you do too. I started dating my first and current boyfriend at 24, and now I firmly believe that he’ll be my last (I’m praying so–I’m 26 now). And looking back, I am so grateful that God made me wait this long. While I now have friends going through divorces or marital issues, I am 100% confident that my relationship is of God and I pray that same thing for you. I will pray that you hear what God is trying to tell you throughout this study.
At 22 I had those same questions and desires as well. I think we so often put ourselves on a timeline and believe that it is better to be married younger so that we could grow up with our spouse (at least that’s what I thought). I still struggle with this! I’m now 24 and dating a godly, wonderful man and I can still think when is this, this, or that going to happen or why doesn’t he do this for me? I constantly struggle with making everything about me. But God is gracious and in the midst of my sin He makes Himself know to me. You absolutely hit the nail on the head by pointing out how we should long for Jesus in the same way we long for marriage and an earthly companion. Praying for you, Lauren.
You are so young! I went on my first date at 24. We went out for 10 months. Then I was single for a year. I then began dating my now husband. I am 32, and we have been married almost 5 years. It felt late to me, but God knew what he was doing. My husband is 5 years younger than me, so if he’d answered my prayer when I was first praying it at your age, I’d have been dating a 16 year old…
Anna! My story is very similar. God told me to be patient, be patient (because I have a much younger guy waiting for you). He is almost 4 years younger than me and I couldn’t be happier. God knows best.
I love the profound mystery of Christ. A god who loves more than we can ever understand.
http://www.in-due-time.com
I want to fall more in love with God before I’m given my special person but I have been praying a lot to have him come in my life when the moment is right! God knows my hearts desire and I know He’ll keep His promise to me. I trust Him with all my heart <3
That is my prayer as well!
I really don’t think I’ll be reading this devotional this time around.
I am almost 33, never been kissed, never been on a serious date and am pretty single. I am content usually with where I am, however I do struggle with lust. This is something that I have laid down at Jesus’ feet many times, but it is still something that I don’t want to get into, it’s a slippery slope that I’ve fallen down many times before. I set boundaries for myself and I understand myself more now, but I also know what triggers it, and even though it’s the Bible, it’s still just a bit too graphic for me to read without thoughts coming into my head/heart. So I’ll be praying that the study touches y’all, and I’ll be back for the next one. *Hugs*
I think that is wise for you! I’m reading this after discovering a few years ago that my husband was addicted to porn. Our marriage is being restored and God is faithful, but it is hard to hear about faithful, marital love. (Though really the greatest thing is that God uses my husbands failures and weaknesses to point to Him as my perfect husband). Anyway, it is a triggering study, and I’m still trying to decide if it is a good idea for my husband to do it alongside me. Praying for you!
Stephanie, I think you are making a wise choice. In the meantime SRT has so MANY other great studies you can do. Jaleen, I have been in your shoes and the tremendous pain that it cause for so long. But God. He rescued my husband from that addiction and has healed
my heart so much. God has brought us closer together and loving one another in such a way that did not seem possible. I am praying that this study would be something that would draw you and your husband closer in love in spite of the past. That it would be part of healing for you both. Many prayers
Good morning, sweet sisters. After I finished reading today, the song “Pieces” by Amanda Cook came to mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0FW–zidYA
It declares the radical, relentless, mysterious love of God. Let this soak into your hearts this morning
“Unreserved, unrestrained
Your love is wild, Your love is wild for me
It isn’t shy, it’s unashamed
Your love is proud to be seen with me
You don’t give Your heart in pieces
You don’t hide Yourself to tease us…”
How beautiful!
Thank you for sharing this. it is truly a beautiful reminder of His love and even provides such a stark contrast to what the world shows is. Thank you!
Once in the confessional, I confessed the sexual sins I had committed with my ex boyfriend, and I told the priest how much I still cared about him. He told me to pray for my ex because he may or may become my future husband. He also told me that if I pray, God will lead me to the one He has meant for me (whether it be my ex or not). I just thought I would share this experience with any of you who may be going through any sort of breakup. I have been praying for my ex, for his health, happiness, and healing. And I know that at the end of the day, I will be with the special man that God as chosen for me…and you will too!!!
Yes I pray for my ex daily and I also pray for the man I’m going to marry. God will lead me to the man he wants me to be with and I know He is preparing a good one for me.
Substitute “Jesus” for the word “love” in 1 Corinthians 13 and bask in the Truth.
Thank you for that suggestion! That was unveiling to read. Imagining Jesus standing there being patient with us and always protecting us, always looking past our wrong doings, and just knowing and understanding that JESUS never fails.
Doing this made my heart happy. This is my favorite verse in the bible, and replacing the word love with Jesus made it that much better!
JESUS NEVER FAILS! Thank you! I needed that today.
Married or single, for the Christian this truth stands alone : “I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved is mine.”
I’m not married, I’ve never been on a date or had my first kiss, … and I’m 35. So this book has always been one I’ve skipped. I didn’t want the reminder of how different I was and am. Lately, however, I’ve been reading the devotional Wholeheartedly by Natalie Met Lewis and I’m praying that God will allow me to see this with new eyes. Relationships and love stuff are hard for me because I really want a love story of my own, but knowing and understanding that I am being pursued by a loving God means more than I can express. My prayer is that He will change my heart to pursue Him as Shulameth pursues Solomon.
Praying for you Nikki.
Hi Nikki, praying that you feel His love in a song today, in the sunlight, in your favorite meal, or comfy socks. Feel his love envelope that empty part of your heart and know that he is cradling it for you, keeping it safe for a time he knows for you. Have a loved day!
I’m afraid this is going to come off as me sounding like a sourpuss, but I am actually dreading this study… I am not of the hopeless romantic group of women, I can’t stand romantic movies, I loathe romance novels. I push close relationships away for fear of getting hurt. It has become second nature to me to simply roll my eyes at a couple in love and mutter under my breathe “give them a few years, they will see”. I avoid these things because it is a stark reminder of the lack of romantic love and passion in my own life. I am married, but for the most part we simply tolerate each other. When I read Song of songs, it is a harsh reminder of the things that are missing in my life… Things I gave up years ago and may never get again. It is easier to shut that part of my heart down than to hope and be let down. I will stick with this study, but I must admit I may not be my favorite.
Hi Tracy, I pray that despite your reservations this study truly speaks into your heart, and your situation. You are not a sourpuss, but you are clearly hurting and I pray you find some healing through this study of love.
You may never have what you previous had again, but God has good planned for you.
We all have hearts shut down in part to love, that’s why we need God to show how to love, to love us fully and to love others through us. I pray the God of love shows you that while your earthly marriage may be far from the best, your heavenly husband loves you with a fierce, powerful and jealous love, a love that can sustain you, a love that you can depend on and a love that knows no end.
Much love in Christ
Nat
x
I am so sorry, Tracy. Praying God will bring back intimacy, pleasure and genuine joy with each other.
Tracy, maybe focus on the aspect of God’s love for us, not human to human.
Tracy. How you feel is understandable given your circumstances. I just want to encourage you put the same hope we have in Christ’s return and apply that to your marriage. Not just through prayer and spending time with a God but even physically. Have you seen The War Room? If not, please do!!! Pray and pray with the belief that God will restore that intimacy in your marriage again. I’m praying for you.
Tracy, I pray that God will meet you here in this book that you’re dreading and that you can see His love reflected in others as you go through your daily routines. He loves you SO much!
Your pain has captured my heart and hours after reading this I am praying for you.
I pray that you would know and truly believe again that His banner over you is love, dear Tracy!! God loves YOU! The words on these pages are a display of His great love for you even in spite of the lack of love shown by others, He longs to show you and have you believe that He sings over YOU! May you know this like never before through this study.
Tracy, I will be praying that you open your heart to this study. Allow God to reveal what it is that you need to read or hear. I pray that you let go of your current situation and just really dive into this study. I will be praying for you throughout these two weeks and hope to see some revelations at the end of it.
Tracy, I will be praying that you open your heart to this study. Allow God to reveal what it is that you need to read or hear. I pray that you let go of your current situation and just really dive into this study. I will be praying for you throughout these two weeks and hope to see some revelations at the end of it.
Amen! Love to you Tina, and all my SRT sisters!
At this moment in time, i am not in a marriage, but i am hopeful that one day sooooooon, God will lead me to someone special who will love and respect me as i will him..!
Meanwhile….
On Saturday I posted 28 cards to members of my family and friends. Each individually handmade by me especially for them…with words of love and affirmation from me to them…
Yes, I love….and I love BIG…I love LARGE…
I love from the deep recesses of my heart….I love from deep within my soul….when I love….
My ‘banner’ over those I love… is love, in big lettering with flashing lights…. but heres the thing, that ‘banner’ does not always fly high… that banner does not always look great, it sometimes slips…it sometimes has ‘pre nup’, and its not always perfect….
But God…
His banner of love over me, over us….is perfect love, no creases, no pre nup, no ifs or buts, no matter what I do, say or am….it changes not…His love for me, for us is perfect…. His love is patient, His love is kind..His love keeps no record of our wrongs… Gods love is not happy with our wrongs, but, He never judges or withholds from us any of His love…He for sure never gives up on us, even if we do, on Him…
In His perfect love for us….. hear this my Sisters, God has FAITH in us, He has HOPE for us and His patience…never fails… His perfect love for me, for us, means He will wait for as long as it takes… to see us change, whatever needs changing so we can be the people He created us to be, or to win our love… how backward is that? I mean, that the Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth would wait.. would hold out for us…never giving up on us… His love for us, means He will wait in the searing sun/ heat, or the coldest of colds…just to catch a glimpse of us, to be near us, to love on us…
I love loving … and I love BIG, but I know that BIG love is but a patch on the perfect love of God… but like Paul, I strive , I strive to love, and I strive to love well..and will continue to because when God showed me His love, when He first loved me, and I knew for sure that He did, I could do nothing else but give from the overflow of what He gives and shows me everyday….Amen
Sending love,♥ love,♥ love to you this beautful crisp morning sisters….every blessing…xxx♥
Amen!!
I love your heart! Thank you for the encouragement this morning! ❤
Beautiful! ❤️
Just remembered this song from Bethel… you don’t give your heart in pieces…
Here’s the link https://youtu.be/QSBK3U5A448
Enjoy…
Xxx
Thank you for your words this morning. I will be inspired by them today.
Sending love back to you ❤
Sending love back Tina, so beautifully written! xoxo
So encouraging and beautiful. As always. Thank you, Tina.
Love ♥
Love back to you, Tina, bunches and bunches of love!
Amen, Amen, Ms Tina!! God bless you and the heart of love He has given and continues to give you!
Thank you for your words, Tina, and for reminding us to love BIG because that certainly is what our God does for us. Blessings!
i love this ❤❤
This is hands down one of my favorite books in the Bible! My favorite guide for my marriage!