Rejoicing over her, His desire has always been that she love Him with all of her heart. He stimulates that desire and the fruit it will produce—revealing His glory through the gifts He's placed within her.
She separated herself to her King—to get away together—to refresh and recharge. Oh, how His beloved has matured; she is completely aware that He alone is her lifeline.
We naturally compartmentalize relationships. What I mean is, we put relationships with people in one category and God in another. So, when we read a love story like this, we tend to immediately view it as a horizontal love—but it's actually a vertical love—a love story about God—who IS love and your Creator—who chose you, pursues you and is showing you love as He designed it to be—a love story between Him and His beloved (you).
As we approach the final chapter, it's just the beginning of the story. My prayer has always been that you would hear God speak directly to you, as He did me, when He birthed this series in my heart.
True love begs the question, "What kind of love is this that He lay down His life?" Though we may think we understand love, I believe we are incapable of comprehending this kind of love.
"We love because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19 NASB)
God designed the truest of love to overflow. In order for that to happen, we must surrender all of our misconceptions, past hurt, and protection mechanisms to Him. We give God glory when we surrender and receive His love. And that Beloved, is a journey that only He can lead.
The [Woman]:
“Oh, if only you were my brother; then I could kiss you no matter who was watching, and no one would laugh at me. I would bring you to my childhood home, and there you would teach me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, sweet pomegranate wine. His left hand would be under my head and his right hand would embrace me. I adjure you, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken him until he pleases.” Songs 8:1-4 TLB
For her, culturally, it was improper to show public displays of affection; but she longed for the freedom to express her love openly and give her best to Him in response to the love and devotion He freely gave.
Isn't this true for us? As God's love for His creation is distorted, it has become more and more difficult to display openly our love for Jesus. However, as the bride discovered, over and over again, the Bridegroom-King hems you in and holds you close. Do not disturb my Love, she asks; her desire is to be inwardly prepared for Him as she awaits His arrival.
Oh, that we may be prepared—inwardly prepared, dressed and ready—waiting for Jesus to come and get us. This is a longing God put in the human heart when He breathed the breath of life into Adam's nostrils.
The Young Women of Jerusalem: “Who is this coming up from the desert, leaning on her beloved?”
King Solomon: “Under the apple tree where your mother gave birth to you in her travail, there I awakened your love.”
The [Woman]: “Seal me in your heart with permanent betrothal, for love is strong as death, and jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. It flashes fire, the very flame of Jehovah. Many waters cannot quench the flame of love, neither can the floods drown it. If a man tried to buy it with everything he owned, he couldn’t do it.” Songs 8:5-7 TLB
I suppose we're all searching for significance in one form or another. I know for me, I've spent a lot of time trying to navigate where I fit. I think, for the most part, we want to be able to look back and see a life well lived. Depending on the person, it may look a little different, but the destination is still the same; we want to believe somehow we've made a difference.
The longer I live, the less it seems I know. I think I'm only beginning to understand what Jesus meant when He said not to store treasures for yourself on earth but to store our treasures in heaven. (see Matthew 6)
Having followed the Bride's journey, we've watched her shift from a horizontal (worldly) perspective to a vertical (heavenly) one. Becoming fully dependent on Him, she exchanges her will for His. She's fitted with the impenetrable armor of God. He seals her in His love; the fullness of joy is present.
The [Woman’s] Brothers: “We have a little sister too young for breasts. What shall we do if someone asks to marry her?”
King Solomon: “If she has no breasts, we will build upon her a battlement of silver, and if she is a door, we will enclose her with cedar boards.”
The [Woman]: “I am slim, tall, and full-breasted, and I have found favor in my lover’s eyes. Songs 8:8-10 TLB
She's reminded of a time of vulnerability, when her insecurity caused a chasm between them. Yet no matter what life threw at her, she somehow knew He'd always protect her.
Because there's an enemy who holds on tightly, we are vulnerable to his lies. Until Truth penetrates, God holds you in the palm of His hand, continuously rescuing you from the hidden traps of the enemy.
Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon, which he rented out to some farmers there, the rent being one thousand pieces of silver from each. But as for my own vineyard, you, O Solomon, shall have my thousand pieces of silver, and I will give two hundred pieces to those who care for it. O my beloved, living in the gardens, how wonderful that your companions may listen to your voice; let me hear it too. Songs 8:10-13 TLB
Come quickly, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or young deer upon the mountains of spices.”Songs 8:14 TLB
He loves you with an Everlasting Love. You were created by Him—for Him—to be One with Him, His bride.
Let this be your love story.
Your chariot awaits.
Your King is inside.
He's reaching for you—
Will you take His hand? Receive His love? Surrender to His will?
Will you allow Him to mold you and shape you into the one He always intended you to be?
As His Beloved. . . . All things belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. 1 Corinthians 3:22-23 NASB
(Thank you for joining me on this journey through the Song of Songs. This (part 14) is the final post in the series, I hope God used it to bless you)
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