17th July 20191st July 2019 Travis Snode

Many Waters Cannot Quench Love – Song 8

Devotions

This beautiful love story ends with affirmations of undying love and a brief explanation of how Solomon and his wife first met. She was a young lady who probably came with her brothers to work one of Solomon’s vineyards (v.8-14). She proved to be a chaste and pure young lady who eventually found favour in Solomon’s eyes, as did he in her eyes. Their love for one another grew into the beautiful marriage we read about in this book.

The story concludes with them expressing and enjoying love for one another that goes beyond what and person is able to manufacture on their own. There is desire (v.1-3), but it is one of respect and patience (v.4). Their love brings them out of the wilderness and into a whole new way of living (v.5). The reason their relationship is so good is because they have learned to have true love, which no doubt comes from God working in their hearts (v.6-7).

It is a love that is totally committed to one another (‘set me as a seal upon thine heart…a seal upon thine arm’). It is love that is universal and irresistible (‘strong as death). It is love that is possessive and exclusive (‘jealously is cruel as the grave’). It is passionate (‘a most vehement flame’), unquenchable, and priceless.

The reason this couple ‘found true love’ was not because it is something can be found but something that is given. God is love. When we know Him and receive His love, we are able to give Divine love to others – love that is unconditional, sacrificial, gracious, and unending. When He works in our life and when we experience His love, the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the spirit which is love and shed God’s love abroad in our hearts (Gal 5:22; Rom 5:5).

Have you received the love of God offered to all through Christ? Has it changed your life and filled you to where it can flow out to others around you? Or do you have a superficial love that is based on certain conditions or the way others treat you? Can you learn to deal with disappointment, frustration and hurt and keep on loving and giving? That is the way God has loved us and that is the way He can help us to love others.

Ephesians 5:1–2 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”