Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 1-2
Scripture Focus: We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you. (Song of Solomon 1.4)
Devotional Thought: The Song of Solomon is a collection of poetic songs unique to the Bible. If it wasn’t in our Bible and we were to discover it as an ancient document from the time of King Solomon, it’s unlikely we’d lobby to include it in the Old Testament collection. For it has no obvious religious content. It is best understood as a collection of snapshots of the romantic love between a man and a woman that aren’t necessarily sequential or in order.
If nothing else, the book conveys to us the high regard God has for marriage—in stark contrast to the view of our day that sees it as a disposable commodity that can be scrapped as we see fit and an institution that can be redefined to suit our tastes. The deep level of respect and commitment the man and woman have for each other is striking.
In 1.4, the maiden describes the love of her partner as “better than wine.” She is deeply and passionately infatuated with her man. While it’s a mistake to view this book primarily as an allegory of the love between God and his people, it’s also a mistake to not see it as an illustration of the commitment and depth of His love for us.
God’s love for us is better than wine because of what it is—it brings healing, gives strength, and delights the soul. It also better than wine because of what it isn’t—it’s totally safe, without impurities, and produces no ill effects.
Let us celebrate the fact we are loved by a caring and passionate God to that depth and degree.
John Whitsett
Prayer: Heavenly Father—thank you for loving me so fully and so perfectly, and for loving me first. Help me to always remember this is the foundation of our relationship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 1 O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. (Psalms 131:1-3)
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