Tues.’s Devo - The Love of God

Read: Song of Songs 1:1-4:16; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 22:22-23 Song of Songs is an interesting book and means “holy of holies”. It was not even allowed to be read by anyone under 30 because they would not be mature enough to understand its true meaning. Though it is an allegory of a man and a woman, it is the story of God’s great love for his people, Israel. It begins by explaining how great the love of God is. His name is like olive oil poured out. Olive oil was the symbol of the Holy Spirit and this shows how wonderful it is when the Holy Spirit is poured out over a nation. Solomon compares the presence of the Lord like a bundle of myrrh that lies next to his heart all through the night. Surely to the Israelite, God was the lily in the valley. He was with them in all their sufferings. He was with them in suffering, in persecution, bondage, exile and war. They went through seasons of refreshing like the seasons of harvests. Jesus was found in the cleft of the rock - he came gushing out of the rock when Moses prayed for water. Many times through their wilderness wanderings they felt abandoned and alone but God was with them even then. Israel went through great humiliation but rose up to be one of the mightiest nations in the earth under Solomon. Solomon talks about his splendor in Chapter three. In Chapter four, God describes his love for his faithful followers. He mentions the lion’s den, probably referring to Daniel’s unwavering love for him. No doubt, he is referring to his prophets who suffered greatly to speak for him and choose him over life and comfort. In Corinthians, Paul and Titus are coming together to bring the offerings of the churches to Jerusalem. Paul wants another person to prove his accountability in guarding this great offering. Titus has longed to come and meet the rest of the body of Christ throughout the region and Paul greatly respects his walk with the Lord. In Paul, we see the loving Father God. Paul praises those who work with him and loves them as a son. Paul feels the same way about his churches. They are his off-spring. This is just the way God feels about us. He is proud of our successes, reproves our missteps and loves us with an undying love. Lord, thank you for your long-suffering, never tiring love for us. Thank you for being our constant companion and for never leaving us. Thank you for your discipline and your rod of correction. We welcome your hand in our lives.