Readings for today: Song of Solomon 4-8, 2 Corinthians 13, Galatians 1, Isaiah 1
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.” (Song of Solomon 8:6-7)
I will admit I am partial to these verses. My wife inscribed them on my wedding ring. We’ve been together over twenty-five years now and the words ring more true than ever. Life has not been a fairy tale. We’ve had to weather some storms like all couples do. The loss of a child. The failure of a ministry. The dangerously premature birth of our twins. The battles with our children as they grew older. Facing our own demons as they revealed themselves over the years. It’s been a journey. And there have been moments when I wasn’t sure we’d make it through. In fact, I almost lost my marriage many years ago due to my neglect and workaholism. So we’ve definitely had our ups and downs. Our peaks and valleys. But the biggest lesson we’ve learned is that God’s love never fails.
You may or may not believe that last statement. I remember talking to a friend several years ago who challenged me on this point. She pointed to her divorce as an example of the failure of love. She pointed to the estrangement of her children as an example of love letting her down. She gave me example after example from her own life of the many times she had been disappointed by love. Betrayed by love. Abandoned by love. It was heartbreaking. After listening, I asked her about the love of Jesus. She broke down and wept. Though she had so many negative experiences with human love, she found herself still holding on to the love of God. As we talked further, she slowly but surely was able to recognize how God’s love had sustained her through all the “floods” and “fires” of her life.
In my last devotional on Saturday, I pointed out that the Song of Solomon is not simply a human love poem. Traditionally it has been interpreted by many as describing the love God has for His people. I know this was a new thought for many. Perhaps it even made your reading a little awkward or uncomfortable. Hopefully today it becomes more clear. It is God who sets us as a seal on His heart. It is God who sets us as a seal on His arm. It is God’s love that is as strong as death. His love that is as fierce as the grave. When the devil offered Jesus the entire world in exchange for love, Jesus utterly despised him. God’s love is eternal. Steadfast. Loyal. True. It is the one sure thing in this uncertain world in which we live.
Ponder the love of God today, friends. A love that will not let you go. A love that will relentlessly pursue you until the day you die. A love that was demonstrated on the Cross. A love that defeated the grave. A love that lives even now eternal in the heavens. A love that is being poured out continually by the Holy Spirit onto God’s people so they will share it with the world. This love is available to us! This love never runs dry! Trusting in this love will save your marriage! It will transform your family! It will deepen your friendships! It will change everything if you let it. If you will simply let go and let Christ reign and rule in your heart. Rest in His love, friends. Let God quiet you with His love. May you walk today in His love and may you experience the blessing that comes from abiding in His love.
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 2-3, Galatians 2