Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Sabbath, August 22, 2015
Today’s Scripture:
“What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?” (Song of Solomon 5:9)
Question of the Day:
What, or who brings out your greatest passion?
Today’s Observation:
Song of Solomon is one of the most passionate books of love ever written. Solomon speaks in gentle tones of his love for his wife, and paints vivid pictures of their passion. The passion is not a worldly sentimentalism. It is the adoration of a man for his wife. Most of us men, who are married, could learn a lesson from this book. If we could receive the poetic expression that the Lord gave Solomon, our wives would be overwhelmed with love for us. It is obvious that the Lord gave him wisdom even in the area of intimacy. Though he often misused his gift, it was a gift, nonetheless.
One of Solomon’s wives was so taken by his love that when she saw that he had left her for a season, she searched for him feverishly. She found trouble and pain in the streets as she searched, but she did not give up. When she spoke to the daughters of Jerusalem, asking that they tell him that she is lovesick, they asked, “What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?” (Song of Solomon 5:9). She responded with a heartfelt expression that would cause any man to be drawn to his wife. They wanted to know, so she told them. “My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” (Song of Solomon 5:10-15).
Life Application:
As you may well know, God’s people are symbolized in the Bible as a woman, a bride. When we are searching for a better relationship with the Lord and someone asks what makes our Lord so great, do we respond as passionately as did Solomon’s wife? Do we welcome the opportunity to express, with the passion of love, what He means to us? If we would just spend quality time with Him and listen to His tender voice, being willing to do whatever He wants from us, our experience will surpass even hers. As the Lord reveals Himself to us daily, He becomes so irresistible that we would rather die, than sin against Him. I pray that my zeal for God will be inspired by this woman’s love for her darling Solomon.
A Prayer for Your Hearts:
Lord, give us a zeal for you that is unquenchable and holy. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
