Just An Old-Fashioned Love Song–Scripture Challenge: Song of Solomon

Bible

I’m a mushy romantic, but when it comes to the Song of Solomon, this old-fashioned girl still blushes at the boldness of this poet’s language!

I grew up modest (for which I am thankful!), and I continue to promote modesty whenever I speak to women, young and old.  My passion comes from my own spiritual committment–I have a heart that desires to live modestly, not just in the way I dress, but in my attitude and my motives. (If you want to know more, read https://wateringcanblog.com/2013/07/01/playing-defense-when-we-should-be-on-the-offense/ )

This book of the Bible is not one to “shy” away from 😊… and is a beautiful picture of not only the love between a man and woman, but between God and His creation.  From the beginning, His plan was to not only provide man with a companion, but a helpmate, a friend, a lover. His divine love for us is much greater than any love that we could experience from another human being, and His love for us serves as a powerful example of how we are to love one another: sacrificial, faithful and unconditional.

In a world that seems to have almost given up on marital love, I am thankful to be reminded that God’s plan is always right. It’s always best–and it is the place we find the most JOY.

I confess that I have struggled with what verse to memorize for my Scripture Challenge.  I have read the Song of Solomon more times in this last week than I have in my entire life.  It’s a book that stands out as vastly different from any other book of the Bible, and I have spent many hours pondering the purpose of the book.  Is it more than just to show us passionate love?  Did God want us to be encouraged to enjoy our sexuality, or is it also a picture of the passionate love that God has for us?  There is within this book the glorious reminder that love–real love is a flame that never fades.  Here’s the verse I chose to memorize:

Solomon’s love songs could never be matched by those of his father David, the author of many of the Psalms–many of them carrying a message of love.  He must have grown up hearing his father’s songs–songs of love and praise for the one true God, his Heavenly Father, Creator, Master, Redeemer and Friend; as well as countless verses that speak of God’s faithful love for us.

Could the lesson God wanted me to learn be one of pursuing God’s kind of love with the passion of Solomon?  The challenge is more than just memorizing Scripture–it’s meant to change us.

How does this verse challenge me?  To love like He loves.  To accept that HE loves me and calls me His own.  To share that kind of love with the people He places in my life.  And to be grateful.

“Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.”  I Peter 4:8

~~Vickie