Song of Songs 5-8

We finish reading through the poetic and juicy love dialogue between King Solomon and his bride as their relationship grows from courtship to marriage (Song of Songs 5-8).

It's still a little awkward, at least for me, to read through their private moments and interesting word choices.

And yet, I know there's a point in all of this loving adoration.

Okay, so maybe we don't talk like this couple did back then (you know, in Bible times).  But the ways God calls spouses to love each other is the same.  Husbands and wives are supposed to adore each other (even though there are days they make us crazy).  It's part of being faithful to each other.

And as I think about that, I know how easy it is to put the adoration for my husband on the back burner, especially as we are in over our heads at times raising our three young children.  It's not easy; but then again, I don't think marriage was meant to be easy.  It's just meant to give us a tiny glimpse of God's love and faithfulness for us.

This is my beloved, this is my friend...

Song of Songs 5:16

My husband is most certainly my beloved and my friend.  And, as much as I need to tell him how much I love him, I need to show him too.  And....that's about as juicy as I am going to get... :)

God wants and needs us to love on each other for Him.  

A love prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for showering my life with Your perfect love.  Thank You for all the people in my life that share Your love with me.

Forgive for the ways I take the love of others for granted.  Forgive me for walking around with a guarded heart.  

I pray that You will open my mind, my heart, and my eyes to both the love that is around me each day, and the love I need to freely give to others. 

Grab me by the hand, Lord, and show me how to live in Your true love, with my words and deeds, each day, no matter what! 

You are my Lord, and my Savior,

Amen

Love and peace of Christ,

For more on everyday faith and marriage, check out the post, Marriage Isn't For You? Me Either.

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.

Song of Songs 1-4

Today we read Song of Songs 1-4.  This book of the Bible, written by Solomon, is saturated with sensual imagery and very intimate conversation.  It's full of  love dialogue between a simple Shulammite woman and her lover, King Solomon as their relationship develops and becomes a marriage.  Let's just be real and honest.  God's Word, in this case, is full of sexual content.

Yep.  I said it.  You read it right.  Sex and the Bible.

It's a bit awkward, you know?  

Though beautiful, these moments between this man and this woman are very private and intimate moments.  I feel like I am a bystander who is in the middle of TMI (too much information).  

And yet, here it is in black in white for all to read, part of God's Living and Holy Word.

God must think intimacy and sex are important.

I want to focus on two verses today...

You are altogether beautiful, my darling;

  there is no flaw in you.

Song of Songs 4:7

You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride;

  you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.

Song of Songs 4:12

God doesn't make mistakes.  He doesn't make flawed creations.  He creates each of us in His image and pours His purpose into our inner most being.  He brings us together as part of His perfect love and bigger plan for our lives.

As Solomon talks about his bride, I am reminded of the sanctity of marriage.

It's a breath of fresh air in our current culture.

Marriage and the intimacy that comes with it is a gift.  

I think it's something God wants us to appreciate and celebrate.  

And the truth is, in the busyness of life, it's way too easy to take it all for granted.

We all need a gentle reminder to reignite the spark in our relationship, to keep the flame burning every now and then.  

So even though the reading was a bit awkward today, I am thankful for Solomon's words.

Love dialogue is important to a marriage.

A prayer for today-  

Dear God,

Thank You for the gift of marriage.  Thank You for bringing ____________________ into my life.

I pray for our relationship.  Forgive us for all the ways we take each other for granted in the busyness of our days.  

Lord, guide us as we try to keep our relationship strong, close, intimate, exciting, overflowing with love, and open to You.

Help us celebrate each other in new ways, with thanksgiving.  Fill us with Your Spirit and the fullness of Your love. 

I pray that our marriage will be a reflection of the power of Your love for our children.  

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

In Christ's love,

For more on everyday faith and marriage, check out the post, Marriage Isn't For You? Me Either.

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.