Text: Song of Songs 3:6-11, Psalm 144:1-15, Luke 12:22-31
These are the unforgettable words my best friend chose to exchange with me, her maid of honor, before walking down the aisle:
“Don’t faint up there…or else.”
While most would have taken these words as a warning regarding the air conditioning-less chapel we’d soon be standing in for the ceremony, I knew we were both bracing each other for something else. The incoming emotional swell that would accompany this banner day was headed straight for us, and we weren’t quite sure where it would land. Maybe on tear-stained cheeks or sweaty palms, or in the excitement of our hurried steps?
Before we could manage to prepare for its arrival, it was my turn to walk down the aisle, followed closely by hers. The swell arrived as a flurry of tissues and gasps overcame the guests, each as bewildered as I was by our luck at witnessing such a glorious event.
Her face was ablaze with joy, but the feeling didn’t culminate until I glanced over at the flame’s source—her groom. His stance remained as steady as the stream of tears that fell from his face. It was the day of his heart’s rejoicing, and his joy caused a swell in our own hearts too.
I brace myself with this same kind of anticipation when we get to Song of Songs 3. Scripture tells us the wedding guests participated in Solomon’s own rejoicing as his attendants rose from the wilderness like clouds of smoke and his mother placed a crown on his head. Beauty and nature linked arms for this lavish celebration of love and promise, every detail covered and each onlooker provided for.
I hope the wedding guests didn’t miss it. I hope they turned their heads to behold the groom’s face, the evidence of his heart’s rejoicing. I hope we don’t miss our Groom’s joy, either. As we observe the details of this elaborate wedding day, we may feel like we’re only onlookers of Solomon and Shulamith’s vows. But we forget, the same vows have been made to us by God.
“Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you—you of little faith?”
-Luke 12:27-28
Not even the day of Solomon’s heart’s rejoicing compares to the way our own hearts rejoice— partly now, in knowing Christ, and fully then, in seeing Christ (1 Corinthians 13:12). This passageway called Earth is the aisle we walk to our perfect love, perfect peace, perfect Prince. May we never take our eyes off Him, acknowledging the way His heart rejoices over His bride. Amen.
Happy are the people with such blessings.
Happy are the people whose God is Yahweh.
-Psalm 144:15
We often forget that side of the story – the side of the groom and his joy on that day. In the same way, we often forget that God is rejoicing and joyous over His bride – the same way we are full of joy for Him. It’s so good to know He is joyful over me – I mean, who am I?
Picturing my life on this earth as walking down an aisle toward my One true love-Jesus, is exactly what I needed to read today (also a day behind). My eyes must always stay focused on Him, acknowledging his gaze upon mine.
This.
I’m finding it difficult to put into words what I’ve heard in my heart through today’s devotion (actually, yesterday’s, but I’m a day behind.) The passages in Psalm and Luke jumped out at me. What am I that God is mindful of me? I am but a breath. Yet, He prepares lavishly to welcome me into the bridal chamber upon His return. So is my gaze glued upon Him? Can I not take my eyes from Him? Or am I seeking after a storehouse of provision for this Earthly “walk down the aisle” that is passing? Am I busy about the work of the kingdom along this walk toward Him, with my eyes ever on Him, or am I hoarding all of His blessings for supposed protection down the aisle? Wow! Thank you, Father, for the conviction of the Spirit.
June 4, 2017–I will get to experience this in real life. I will not only be walking towards my perfect love, perfect peace and perfect prince in Jesus…but I’ll be walking towards my earthly prince who has done nothing more than to push me towards my heavenly prince. Thank you all for doing a study on marriage, it has made Jake & I so excited for the way Jesus celebrates marriage. Praise God :)
Overwhelmed that my walk down the aisle in June takes me toward love and peace but my walking through each day takes me toward perfect love, perfect peace. Princes of this earth come and their gaze is breathtaking- but even it falters or cools for seasons. Our Perfect Prince beams with love and gazes at us all day, every day for eternity!!!
“May we never take our eyes off Him” Amen! This has been my prayer! That in everything we do, we can be intentional about doing it for Christ!
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
Thank you for this study!
This study has already brought me so much joy! I’m kind of in a transition state from a friendship into a relationship right now, and while I’m terrified (of learning to have feelings for someone/trust someone with my heart) I’m realizing more and more how deep Christ’s love is for me and how no one else’s love will ever compare; I never need fear that my Savior will disappoint me. The joy of this reading gave me goosebumps!
On yet another note: One of my best friends recently got engaged to her high school sweetheart, and we went and looked at wedding venues this past weekend, and standing out in that gorgeous field imagining her radiance when marrying her love made me speechless with the radiance of Christ and His bride, US!