Scripture Text: Song of Solomon 2:1-2
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women.
Song of Solomon 2:1-2
When one is awakened to perceive the wonders of God’s love in Christ Jesus, it produces a dynamic confidence to its recipient (the bride of Christ/Church). There are many reasons why the love of God manifested or showcased in Christ brings forth vigorous confidence to us. But here are some of the few:
• It is the source of our forgiveness and removal of guilt.
• It is the source of our everlasting life.
• It is the source of our value as His chosen people.
• It is the source of our eternal joy that can be enjoyed presently.
• It is the source of our unending security.
• It is the source of our new identity.
This love that we keep on saying as better than life itself, is our sure ground to step on in this life! For we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, to those who are called according to His purpose. Those who are awakened to perceive the wonders of God’s love in Christ must come to a point that they are seeing Christ’s love as everything – the greatest blessedness!
We must see its sweetness and be reassured by it, we must be captivated and be gladdened by it, we must see its far excellence, that He is our all-encompassing lover, and there is euphoria in His divine love! We must see that we belong in it (His everlasting love), that we are more than welcome because of it, and that there is always a bliss in it! We must be immersed in ceaseless delight because of it, and we must be never disinterested in pursuing this love! Until we see Him as the sum of all beauties in our eyes!
When one is truly beholding the everlasting blessedness in the love of the Lover-Redeemer, Christ Jesus, there is a change of perspective because of the confidence that can be drawn from it. As the poem continues to describe our love-relationship with the Beloved (Christ), and we being the maiden (Church), “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys” (v.1); her view of herself has remarkably changed. During the first visits at the palace, she was self-conscious and unsure of her appearance and worth. She described herself not as two flowers; yet they are two fairly commonplace wildflowers. She regarded herself as a flower (definitely having beauty), but as rather plain flowers (not remarkable compared to others). “As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women” (v.2); the Beloved heard the maiden’s almost confident self-description and responded with affirmation. Perhaps she said it with a touch of doubt, and he erased any doubt with his response. The beloved [Christ] added that the maiden was not only beautiful, but that she was also among those who didn’t appreciate (or match) her beauty.
The everlasting love of our Lover-Redeemer is strong enough to conquer all our self-pities which are never good in the sight of our Savior. By faith in Him and in His love for us, we learn to believe with such confidence everything that He says concerning us. For you a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession. Dear saint, you cost too much to Christ for Him to neglect or forget you…
The real believer’s heart is awakened to perceive the wonders of God in the person of our Lover-Redeemer, Jesus Christ! From there, we learn to enthusiastically acclaim, oh taste and see that the LORD is good!
He who does not want know more of Him, knows nothing of Him yet…
Hear this then, dear saint! But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments.
Desire communion with Him, who has loved us eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him – the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious and all-happy! Be exceedingly joyous in being His beloved. If you have truly seen Him, then He is your exceeding joy.
Nobody loves you like He does…
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Do you really believe that Christ loves you so much? How does it affect you?
2. How much confidence do you draw from the love of Christ for you?
3. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
The love of God in Christ has made us more than conquerors. This includes our distorted view of self in light of our corruptness. You are a new creation in Christ, and this is your present reality, dear saint! For we know that we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
Read
Ezekiel 36:22-27; Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Pray
Father, we come before You, in the name of Your Son, with all humility, asking for this rich request, that You fill our hearts and minds of Your great love which You have manifested and displayed in the person of Your Son and His works, that we may be filled with all the fullness of Christ. Teach us to be confident in His love, that we might be able realize who and what we are in Him. This we pray, in His Name. Amen.
Comentarios