Text: Song of Songs 8:5-14, Deuteronomy 4:24, John 10:27-30, Hebrews 8:8-13, 1 John 4:19
What makes you blush?
We don’t always blush from embarrassment; we sometimes blush in surprise and delight. Can you remember a time you blushed with delighted surprise? Sometimes I blush over gifts and sometimes I blush about compliments, but my cheeks were at their rosiest when I first met my love. There’s a certain look he used to give me that told me he was utterly slain by me—and, oh, how it made my cheeks burn. The surprises of love, the power of love, and love’s delights are the sweetest things I have ever experienced.
God didn’t have to allow us to fall in love with each other. I imagine that we could theoretically procreate, carry on the species, and get our jobs done without love. But God is love, and He gave us the subtle delights of love to hold all of life’s pieces together. Love elevates the mundane to magical.
Early on in our relationship, I remember us sitting in a car together; we talked and he touched my fingers—that was all. But when the car door opened for me to get out, I literally fell on the ground, I was so incapacitated. God didn’t have to let us fall ridiculously in love with each other. But He made us for love!
Song of Songs makes me blush. In fact, it makes me blush like a wedding night makes us blush—at the surprise and joy of intimacy.
There are two beautiful parallels between Christ as the bridegroom to the Church and the husband as bridegroom to his bride that stand out: People who love each other desire time together, and they pursue that time with one another in spite of obstacles.
“A huge torrent cannot extinguish love.” Have you ever longed to be with your beloved? We desire that Christ will write our name on His heart and in His book. He has done this, saying, “look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16). And He invites us to write His name as a seal on our own hearts (Song of Songs 8:6-7).
“Rivers cannot sweep it away.” Have you ever loved in spite of obstacles? Just as the pains of disappointed love are like a death, the love of Christ for the Church is as strong as death. Our love for Christ makes us dead to everything else. Indeed, we cannot be separated from the love of Christ even by death (Romans 8:38, Song of Songs 8:7).
Without love we have nothing (1 Colossians 13:1). God’s intimate adoration cannot be bought or traded; we can’t earn it. It is impossible, inexplicable, and overwhelming. Just like falling in love.
By far, today’s devotional was the most difficult to read. But, such a good, solid reminder that nothing, nothing, nothing separates us from God’s love. That Christ DID die for us. I guess, I’m mostly adding a comment to say, that the line about ‘the pains of disappointed love are like a death’ hit too close to home, and I don’t know how to really read into it. Christ’s love covers everything, but man, is that disappointed love not going away… or healing.
Sara, oh how well do I know that pain. That sinking feeling of loss but do you know what in that pain look up to him. Christ does heal, restores, he refines and gives new life. Latch on to his promise, he is closer to the broken hearted and sees ever tear. Joel 2:25 he will the repay the Years the locust have stolen.
Praying for peace, that you may be aware of his presence and his loving arms wrapped around you so tightly, so that you may experience his extravagant love
Thank you so much for this!
Praying for you and your Grandma Katalina. May you feel God’s presence!
Thank you Candy
I am new to reading the Bible everyday and I am wondering what other people do to study the word more closely? I don’t know if I should journal about the scripture or write out passages or other possible options. Any suggestions?
Journaling is such a special time for me. Somehow God makes connections for me between His word and my struggles as I put pen to paper and write out what I feel God is teaching me. So, yes, I highly suggest that you journal. My church teaches SOAP journaling. Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Enjoy your time with God and His word!
Yes, journaling is amazing for me! This looks different for everyone. For me, I just write down what sticks out to me most- a verse or a devotional quote, for instance. I also write out my prayer, because it is so easy for this girl to get distracted. It’s helpful to know how you study best then play to your strengths. :) I like to emphasize certain verses with calligraphy and incorporate watercolor since I am a super visual, hands-on kind of person- while others would do better highlighting, underlining, etc. You do you!
Sisters, I need lots of prayer. I have a group chat w. my whole family and We’ve been told that my grandmother is in the hospital. She fell twice and lost her memory for a while. Please keep her in your prayers. They’re taking some blood test to see what’s going on but please pray for her so that she’ll get better and that everything comes out ok.
Praying for you and your family Katalina.
Thank you Sandy
Praying.
Thank you Agatha
This study has been particularly hard for me. My marriage is struggling and I feel very lonely and rejected. It is nice to be reminded of how much God loves me despite how others act towards me; but the references to marital love are pretty painful.
This has been my least favourite study. My marriage is not in trouble but I have been struggling with this study as well. Not being head over heels in love, I feel inadequate and alienated reading these words by the author. My thoughts have been “If I don’t feel this in my earthly marriage does that mean I cannot be in a close relationship with God?” I have been a Christian for many years so I now that isn’t true, but I still judge myself because I don’t have this Song of Songs relationship experience on earth. (and I have tried, still have not found what my problem is)
Hey Andee and TW, I felt like the Holy Spirit was nudging me to respond to you gals and I couldn’t just ignore it and continue scrolling through the comments. I so admire how honest and vulnerable you both are in sharing your reality- not an easy thing to do. I know how it feels to be struggling in marriage too and it sucks. Im truly sorry to hear that both of you are in pain and feeling alone right now. Im not sure what the answers are for you, as I don’t know you or your marriages on a personal level, but I can encourage you to pray and seek and lean on God in your pain and struggle. He loves you dearly. I encourage you to consider praying with and for your spouse, with a loving heart. I would encourage you to be honest with your spouse about how you’re feeling and communicate in love. If you want a Song of Songs relationship with your spouse in order to experience an even deeper relationship with Christ, ask God for it and share this concern and desire with your spouse. Hope things get better soon! And I hope God’s truth and love sustains you both!
I have felt this many times over. Earthly love is nothing compared to the love that Christ provides. I have found that if I lean in and focus on my relationship with the Lord that my marriage and emotions realign! I have realized that if I’m not connected with my God then I’m easily disconnected from my guy. And love goes through seasons. Remember that our emotions are not set in truth, but that God provides truth. Our emotions, friends, lovers and this world will all fail us, BUT Gods promises will always prevail.
I hear you… I’m with you. I love my husband, but it’s not that lovey dovey butterflies, I lose my breath when I see him love… maybe one day it will be and I have HOPE that it can be as I continue to trust the Lord with my marriage. Anyways, KNOW you are not alone, sister ❤
“hurry to me my love” How beautiful — something I imagine he is saying to all of his children.
http://www.in-due-time.com
Just like in the live action Cinderella movie!!! Before Cinderella went in to see the prince. The fairy godmother said, “Perhaps the greatest risk any of us will ever take is to be seen for who we truly are.” And Cinderella told the prince who she was. Cinder-ella. Ashes and all. Rags and all. And he accepted her. Rags and all. Just like Jesus accepts me. All of me. Every doubt, fear, worry, mistake. Every single part of my soul. He heals me. And He loves me. Forever. He will never stop loving us. Thank you Jesus!
I want to love better. Not just the people around me, but also my God. Sometimes I feel like I read through these studies but I don’t allow it to pierce or change my heart. My prayer is that it does and God will transform my heart from the inside out.