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Day 94: Foundational Love (SoS 1-2:7 Recap)

 This is the first section of SoS and it contains the foundational truths for a life of intimacy with Jesus. In this song, the Beloved and the Bride use these principles to overcome whatever challenges their love.

The song started with the Bride asking to be kissed with the kisses of her Beloved's mouth. From that, we learned that intimacy with Jesus begins with desire expressed in prayer and in actions. The kisses of His mouth are the words of His mouth.

Then we looked at why Christ's love is better than wine: it is more pleasurable, builds up our lives and profers actual solutions to all of man's problems. 

We said the first reason all believers love Jesus is the beautiful reports of His name character, person, and acts.

Verse 4 shows us that intimacy though private is not a life of isolation. We must pursue Jesus with other believers. Intimacy with Jesus is an endless cycle of being drawn, and pursuing Him in private and in service.

Her pursuit resulted in a chamber encounter. God reveals himself to us through Word and Prayer. His presence in that secret place brings joy and love, and reveals His reputation is true to His nature.

We discussed the statement 'I am dark but lovely' and how God's light exposes our imperfections, but also gives us grace to overcome them. And that our exposed weaknesses should lead to godly sorrow that produces repentance not shame.

She then explains her darkness. Her brothers overworked her and she neglected her vineyard. We should never be so consumed with service that we neglect our communion with and personal assignments from the Lord.

In her distress, she desired rest and food. Only Jesus the good shepherd can give true rest and satisfaction. To find these, we need to commit to a local church, to evangelism and discipleship, and to spiritual authority. This solves three temptations: isolation, idleness, and independence which are detrimental to our walk with Jesus.

Then he pays her three compliments that teach us to celebrate our weakness so God's strength can show forth, to serve God with passion through our emotions and that submission to Christ makes us most beautiful

In partnership with the Trinity, our beloved Jesus will make us an ornament of gold with studs of silver. We said this was a gift of grace signifying godly character and the work of the Holy Spirit through us to bring others to salvation.

Then we see our Bride at the king's table. In his word, Jesus also sets a table of fat things. At this table, our fragrance of prayer and worship delights His heart. It is in communion that we receive the revelation of who Jesus is to us through the lens of redemption.  

When the Beloved spoke again, he acknowledged no darkness in her. Only beauty. Then commended her single-eyed, undistracted devotion to him. 

As for her, she replies that He is attractive and pleasant to her. She said their bed was green, indicating the rich pasture of the word. 

She concluded chapter one by saying the beams and rafters of their houses are cedar and fir. Pointing to Jesus' death and His life on earth as a man superior than all others. And that Jesus is the first mobile temple of God as we are now.

In chapter two she sees herself as beautiful without mentioning her blackness. An improvement in self-image but she still views herself as merely another beautiful maiden. But he said she was a lily among thorns representing unique beauty to God in an unredeemed world. 

As the apple tree of trees, Jesus is the greatest man to walk on the earth. Sitting in Jesus' shade protects us from the harsh realities of living in the world. In this shade, we enjoy his fruit: His word through meditation.

She ends right where she desired. Having sought His love which is better than wine, she finds herself in a house of wine glad not because of the wine, but because of His love. She was so consumed by love that it made her love sick. We learnt from this that we must seek to be refreshed by His word and find strength in His presence. Our section ends with the Bride in the arms of her beloved.

When we look through the book so far we will see that intimacy with Jesus is not a goal, it is a journey. A process. A choice you make every day, every moment of your life. Just like the love between human partners blossoms with time and the accumulation of memorable moments so it does with Jesus.

The very foundation of our faith in and love for Jesus is a revelation of His sacrificial love on the cross. And if you notice, there are two elements mentioned over and over again crucial to a life of intimacy: time spent in the word and in prayer.

PRAY WITH ME:

Thank You, beloved Jesus, for the privilege of intimacy with You, the work of redemption, and the growth I have experienced so far. Lord, as we progress, open my understanding to more truths about intimacy with you. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

  • Think deeply and write down how your relationship with Jesus has improved during this series.
  • What are the most profound lessons you have learned and how are you applying them?
  • If this series has blessed you in any way, please let us know. Send a review to unreservedyou@gmail.com or contact our Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter handles: @livingunreserved.

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