Return to Bible Devotional -> Scripture Prayer ->Mid-week Mini-Worship -> Weekly Bible Books
Devotional
Weekly Bible Devotion By Books
May 29-June 3, 2023
Enter the Presence of the Lord
(All) See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (W)Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, (M) if any comfort from his love, (W) if any common sharing in the Spirit, (M) if any tenderness and compassion, (All) then make my joy complete by (W) being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (M) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (W) not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (All) Dear children, continue in him, love one another. (John 3:1a; Philippians 2:1-4)
Confession
Jesus Christ, you command us love one another. You gave yourself to us while we were still in sin. Yet, we are so easily to keep the wrong scores of our brothers and sisters. We are so easy to enlarge a tiny spike into a huge prank. We are so sorry. Lead us to your cross. Let your blood wash away our anger, jealousy. Replace them with your forgiving love and generosity. We will be revived in your love again. We will walk to love our brothers and sisters. In your name, Amen.
Scripture Reading
Song of Solomon ; 1 John 4:8b
6:9 a but my dove, my perfect one, is unique,
8: 6-7 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.7 Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.
Thoughts to share: The Wisdom for Love
Song of Solomon points out that human marital love is a noble theme in the sight of God. There are wonders in this love. There is truth about this love. Totally the book is the word of God.
Why was this book was preserved under the supervision of the Holy Spirit? If we recall that love, marriage, family were God’s design for mankind in the beginning of God’s creation, it should not be surprised to see such a book in the holy Bible. Furthermore, if we consider that the Canaanite culture was commonly involved a custom of casual sexual relations in worship of the agricultural gods and goddesses. It was the culture in which the Israelites was surrounded. The Israelites struggled with this culture right after the they stepped into this promised land in Joshua time. Later, even Kings David and Solomon were tempted and struggled. Had the Israelites wondered and asked if God had ever instructed them about human marital love? Song of Solomon is a great book to answer all the questions that all holy people had. So it is full of wisdom for every generation of humans who seek for a true love in their lifetime.
There is no better way to illustrate the love wonder and truth than letting two lovers performed a show before us. So the Song of Solomon is here. We heard narratives, poems, and story lines. They weaved in the daily family and work lives. What we can learn about this most wonderful love?
Firstly, to love and to be loved are human desires planted by God himself. Love is from God. The love in a marriage is to reflect God’s love to each other. Secondly, the expression of marital love is to follow some simple principles such as purity, one only, proper time and places, and with all soul. Thirdly, marital love has some characteristics: giving, devotion, exclusiveness, owning, belonging, dedication, union, transparency. Fourthly, leave each one’s parents to cleave each other. Fifthly, marital relation means to care each other, to befriend each other, to communicate each other, to appreciate each other, to co-work each other, to freely give and take. It never means for dominion, selfishness, antagonism. Sixthly, marital love is an intercourse of two total persons- from physical appearance, soul, will, and entire life.
Love has the strength and intensity like death, flood, fire, light, and treasures. It is powerful and attractive. It can be also very destructive. So, we must have wisdom of love. We must have honest evaluation of the maturity level before entering a marital love. The two lovers in the book of Song of Songs show us some maturity to be reached: Self-respect, self-control, self-expressive ability, self-decision, independent. Moreover, they recognize that love is from God. They let the holiness, peace, and joy be their guide to the most desirable human love in their marriage.
Yet, in the all wonders in human marital love, we peek into the love of God. God wants us to love him too, with all soul, mind, will, and body. God has planned that we are union with him in Jesus Christ. He lives in us and we live in him.
Prayer suggestions:
What are we supposed to know about marriage? Are you in a marriage? Do you need guide to help you think through this marriage matter? Read Song of Songs. Ask God to bless your marriage or your search for a marriage.
God the initiator, blesser, keeper of our marriage, we confess that we need the wisdom of love. We desire a marriage with the joy and strength you can give. We invite you into our love journey from beginning to our last breath and be the Lord of our marriage. Thank you, Amen.
Prayer Request
Devotional
News
2024-01-3
Free Training Mental Health Initiative for church by Light University
2024-01-3
-info on 2024 Christian Ministry Learning and special grant Opportunities
2024-01-3
-EFC educational workshop
2024-01-3
-Rev.Dr. Samuel Tang Bookroom
2024-01-3
-Church Leadership Podcast
2024-01-3
-free courses at Our Daily Bread Christian University for edifying and serving