Scripture Text: Song of Solomon 1:9-10
I compare you, my love,
to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots.
Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,
your neck with strings of jewels.
Song of Solomon 1:9-10
With our relationship with Christ, there is this continuous knowing of the richness of His grace that can be found in Him alone. This continuous knowing is the product itself of His unmerited kindness over us, and we must be able to comprehend this in our very hearts, that we might be filled with all godliness. The mercies of God is like the manna of which the Israelites in the Old Testament had. It is unknown to them (the meaning of it is "what is it?"), and worse is they were ignorant that it is the foreshadowing of the word of God, which represents Christ Himself! They are rejecting it day by day, not knowing that it is God’s kindness and goodness to them. Most of us today are found in the exact situation. That’s why we must keep on knowing our blessed state in Christ, for it is the bliss that we are unknowingly seeking for!
The happiest of all Christians are those who never dare to doubt God, but take His Word simply as it stands. He has once said, “I have loved you with an everlasting love”, we must take it as our solace! He has also said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, we must hold on to these words with a death grip, and stand upon this solid ground! We must realize that we never outgrow Christ; but we grow to need Him more and more. This is the path to the meaning of bliss! Knowing who we are in Christ is the cure to all anxiety, sorrow, fear, and all negativities that we can experience in our Christian life. Our text for today helps us to discover this.
The dialogue between the maiden [bride of Christ] and the King [Christ] continues, and with the words of the King for his beloved—this time, He is praising her! Isn’t it such a bliss for us, dear saint, to know the One who has loved us eternally, is praising us? Is there anything worthy of praise to us, poor unworthy sinner? Isn’t it such a love? “I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots” (v.9); Historical studies set this phrase in an interesting light. Normally, we would think of a beautiful filly, magnificently drawing Pharaoh’s chariots. Yet there are ancient sources that indicate that by strict rule, Pharaoh’s chariots were pulled by stallions, not fillies, mares, or geldings. This then would have the sense that the maiden was as alluring and exciting as a filly among stallions. The maiden [bride of Christ] is being compared to a stallion for their strength, majesty, and comeliness; they are strong in Christ and in His grace! “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels” (v.10); the King goes on by simply appreciating every detail about His beloved. And it same goes with us, dear saint! He knows exactly everything! Remember that He has once said “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.”
Did you know that strength is always found in our Lover-Redeemer? That’s why we can always say to ourselves with confidence that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! And from here, we can say as well, with joyful and humble hearts that by the grace of God, I am what I am! Do you see why the meaning and fulfillment of real bliss is found in the very heart for us, of our Lover-Redeemer? His praise is the bliss that we truly need! And we shall immerse ourselves daily for us to have our full bliss! For He has once said, and is recorded in our scriptures that “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Knowing what we are to Christ, our Lover-Redeemer, is the overflowing stream of bliss that springs forth from our hearts! It is the transforming joy that we really need! The more we have of it, the more we desire for it! The more that we want to behold in another degree the everlasting love of Christ for us.
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 to know more of Him, knows nothing of Him yet…
Hear this then, dear saint! Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
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 find joy, satisfaction, strength, and peace in the love of God in Christ?
2. Do you find your everything in the love of Christ?
3. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
The love of God in Christ is always most precious to the man who most lives upon it.
Read
Deuteronomy 7:1-10; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 John 4:17-19
Pray
Father, we come to you in prayer, in the name of Your Son, to confidently ask of the things that He has promised us—for His promises are the light and life of our lives. For His promises to us are our sustaining joy in this life, as we are waiting for His return. Please continue to set our hearts to Him, who is our everything, that we might continue to learn that He is really what we need here and hereafter. Satisfy us with His praises over us, that we might not forget that our joy, strength and peace are found in Him alone. Make us learn to truly turn to Him, and find our everything that we need in Him alone. This we pray in His Name. Amen.
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