Love Initiates Action

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Reading in Song of Songs 4, the Shulammite girl has an effect upon the shepherd. She steels the shepherd’s heart. Her love is more pleasing than wine. Her lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb. The word pictures the shepherd uses to describe the Shulammite girl in 4:12-5:1 center around the image of a garden. The shepherd describes her as a flush garden with choice fruits, incense trees, fine spices, and a fountain of flowing water within the garden. He says the garden is locked up and the fountain is sealed (V. 12). Water was scarce and precious during this time period and it was sealed to preserve it from pollution and for use of its owner.

Interpreting this reading as an allegory of the love between the church and Christ, it’s inspiring because of the devotion and self-surrender. Fulfilling His purpose on earth was not easy but the love of Christ for us was proofed on the cross. If something is being done for the first time, it may be rough in the beginning. There will be challenges but along the way, we can be thankful for being inspired by the example of Christ as He demonstrates devotion and self-surrender in fulfilling His purpose.

This day with God will be amazing because if tempted to hold back, thinking about Jesus will remind us that love flows best when it flows freely. What is it you need desperately from the Lord today? Be faithful and bring it before Him in prayer so His love flows freely.