BIBLE READING: Song of Solomon – An Introduction

The Song of Solomon is a somewhat cryptic story of love and romance. Written in poetic form, you might not immediately catch the implications of the compliments as they are extravagant and often bizarre to our Western ears. For example, “Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing…” (Song of Solomon 4.1-2)

It is helpful to remember that the comparisons are figurative rather than literal, and what the person has in common with what he or she is compared with is a certain quality, usually the quality of excellence, or of being the best of its kind.

Having said that, this song is a vivacious story of human desire, love, marriage, and intimacy. It should be read and interpreted in this context. In many Christian circles, such terminology and themes are avoided altogether and seen as taboo. Yet gender, marriage, and human sexuality are all designed by God. These things should be seen as gifts and it is Godly to desire what God has created. The problem is not sexuality, but human sin and perversion. To properly enjoy what God has given, we must desire these gifts within the boundaries that God has set. The Song of Solomon helps us set the boundaries for these things to properly be enjoyed. Although this song is primarily a love story between a groom and his bride, the gospel will clearly be displayed. Jesus is a better groom, and we are His bride (Ephesians 5:29). All Scripture is ultimately about Jesus and we will see His pursuit of His people through this epic song of love (John 5:39).

There are two important points we can learn from this song of Solomon:

1. God’s law commands sexual purity. There is a refrain, “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, . . . that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases” (SOS 2.7; 3.5; 8.4; variation in 5.8), spoken by the shepherdess. This is understood as her urging the other women not to push this love too fast, in order to let it reach its consummation at the right time (the marriage bed, which seems to begin in SOS 8.5). Marriage provides the right framework within which his people may properly enjoy the gift of sexual intimacy (see Genesis 2.23-24). Thus God’s people honor him and commend him to the world when they demonstrate with their lives that obedience in such matters brings genuine delight.
2. Marriage is a gift of God, and is to be founded on loyalty and commitment (see Genesis 2.24, “hold fast”), which allows delight to flourish. As a testament to the beauty of the marriage relationship in its fullness, Song of Solomon stands out with its uniquely detailed vision of this beautiful reality. As such, it is a fitting image for God’s relationship with his people.

BIBLE READING: Psalm 100

A nevous woman was on a long international flight. It was back in the days when meals were served with real silverware, not plastic. As she finished eating, the woman decided to keep the silverware. She wrapped it in a napkin and stuffed it into her purse. Not long afterward, the plane experience intense turbulence, causing the plane to bounce violently in the air. Afraid, the woman reached into her purse, put the silverware on the tray table and remarked, “Now I am right with God.” After a little while, the turbulence ceased, and it was smooth flying once again. At this point the woman quietly put the silverware back into her purse again.

Think of this story as a metaphor of how we sometimes bargain with God. On the one hand, we believe that he is all powerful, that he controls even the elements, that even the winds and the waves obey him. But on the other hand, we believe that we can get away with things and make a bargain with him when it goes wrong.

It would be interesting, to speculate how long the woman with the silverware would have stolen and retracted the silverware if the airplane had continued to pass in and out of storms over the next hour or so. That too could be a metaphor of our life. We promise God certain things, somewhat conditional upon his meeting our requests, then the cycle begins again. We are incredibly fickle sometimes, aren’t we?

But God is not that way. The writer of Psalm 100 tells us that the LORD is “steadfast” and “faithful to all generations” (Psalm 100.5). The nature of God is that He does not behave conditionally. Certainly, the faithful and righteous person can affect God’s attitude (Exodus 32.11-14; James 5.16), but at the end of the day, God is sovereign and good. He will work in a way that will be best for us (Romans 8.28) and will glorify His perfect nature. Regardless of what we think God is or isn’t doing in our lives, we have no place to put conditions on our thanksgiving to God.

Instead we must resolve to praise God for who he is (Psalm 100.3). In some situations, praise may not seem appropriate response, but as Job reminds us, “the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1.21), and “Should we receive good from God and should we not receive evil?” (Job 2.10)

This resolution is challenging to say the least, but if we believe that the Lord is God; that He exists and He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11.6), then we must be people who give thanks in every circumstance. Have you given thanks to God today?

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100.4-5).

BIBLE READING: Psalm 95

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture…” (Psalm 95.6-7)

Praise is a powerful prelude to worship, but we must not neglect the step beyond praise. True worship is never simply about acknowledgment – It can’t be! How could we, in true faith, observe these characteristics of God and be content to move along unchanged? Praise should bring us to a point of sober reality and response. Even the fool-hearted Israelites were moved to commitment when confronted with the reality of God (see Exodus 20.18-19; 24.3-8). But it was not his physical presence, but the voice of God that powerfully shook the earth as well as their hearts. How could you not worship and bow down before that sort of God?!

The problem for us is we don’t hear his voice as they did. I’m not talking about a physical voice from heaven, but a voice of authority. Even in their obstinance, God’s voice shook them to the soul as they understood his commanding power. They had no choice but to respond in obedience because they saw their littleness before him.

In similar fashion, it is through God’s words that we experience and understand his nature and person. It is where he reveals himself in all his glory. Although the ground may not shake, God’s words are powerful to shake and stir our souls (Hebrews 4.12). They command and constrain us by directing our thoughts and actions. But this is our choice.

“Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Psalm 95.7c).

This choice is so serious that the writer of Hebrews says we must "exhort one another daily" (Hebrews 3.13) so as not to fall into unbelief. If the choice to praise is not accompanied with submission and obedience, we will become hardened, deceived and fall away from God (Hebrews 3.12-13)

Notice this psalm of praise ends with a warning. Even if we were to see God do amazing things, if we have not sanctified the Lord in our hearts (1 Peter 3.15), we will go astray just like the Israelites (Psalm 95.10) and fail to receive the prize (Psalm 95.11). My friends, if it can happen to Israel, it can happen to us (Hebrews 3.16-4.1). Let us be faithful in our obedience, that none of us may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3.13).

“See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we scape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ … Therefore… let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12.25-26, 28-29)

BIBLE READING: Psalm 90 – A Song of Moses

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations… from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Psalm 90.1-2)

Ramses II definitively led the Egyptian empire to world dominance with military conquests and elaborate engineering projects. Sennacherib notoriously taunted nations as the Assyrian army pummeled its way to world power. Nebuchadnezzar II overran the Assyrians and conquered most of the known world, catapulting the Babylonians to world dominance. 

In their times, these men and nations were feared and followed… but where are they now? They are simply a character of the past because their time is over. History shows that even the most imposing nations have failed to sustain their power. But while nations and leaders have come and gone, YHWH has always been God.

You can change the person and title, but in every generation, God is present and powerful. It is significant that Scripture offer glimpses of these men in their greatness, in relation to God; and the outcome is consistent: God dominates and persists (for example Exodus 10; 2 Chronicles 32; Daniel 4.28-37)

It is God’s enduring power in which Moses finds both comfort and great fear. God is personal (Psalm 90.1, 13) and powerful (Psalm 90.5) but also punitive (Psalm 90.7-8). Unlike earthly leaders, who rely on support for their efforts, God will make his will be done (Psalm 90.11).

In his time and his ways, he determines the existence of the earth and all things in it (Psalm 90.3-4). All are at his eternal mercy (Psalm 90.9). We may fixate on the power of those in immediate view, but just as every other “great” nation and leader, they are limited by time, space and ability.

On this day, we see another world power flexing its muscles. Our attention is drawn to who will take over one of the most powerful offices in the world. As believers in God our vision must be clear. The outcome of this election will affect out immediate future, but it will be nothing more than a paragraph in the annals of history. However, it will, as with every other time in history, fall under the purpose and plans of God. Whether we perceive the outcome as good or bad, it is in God’s hands. And so, we must treat it as such in light of the One we trust with our eternal future. 

We are at his mercy as we trust him to provide and protect us (Psalm 90.15). He will because God is faithful to his people. So, let us not take for granted the greatness and consistency of God to satisfy, sustain and support those who trust him. From everlasting to everlasting, he is God. 

“Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90.17)

BIBLE READING: Psalm 86

Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time. In a recent documentary by ESPN, Michael was shown meeting with some obviously starstruck fans. They had purchased VIP passes to have this special moment with their idol. Everything that came out of their mouths was praise for his greatness – “you’re the best basketball player ever… I’m you’re biggest fan… it’s such an honor.” It was embarrassing to watch how overwhelmed they were by his presence.

Maybe you don’t turn into a blubbering idiot, but we all are affected by the presence of those whom we perceive as “greater” than us. We tend to say things that are complementary and directed at who they are rather than who we are. This is what we see in Psalm 86. Although the writer prays for his situation and needs, much of his prayer praises the greatness of God.

“There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours… you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God…” (Psalm 86.8, 10)

Recognizing the opportunity of prayer, this psalmist wants nothing more than the favor of God. In the presence of true greatness, he unashamedly pours out sincere praise. The amazing thing is that God hears, helps and comforts him (Psalm 86.17b).

The disparity between God and human greatness is evident. But the great paradox of prayer is that, even in his greatness, God makes himself available to all. What a unique privilege… and yet how often do we enter his presence talking about ourselves? I think if we truly appreciated the magnificence of God, we would act more like Peter on the mount of Transfiguration… bumbling over words and just unable to fathom the glory of God that is right in front us (Matthew 17.2-6). 

The fact is, a proper realization of God’s greatness will inevitably prompt praise. In Revelation 4, John was shown the glorious throne room of God. In this scene were magnificent creatures and powerful rulers on their own thrones; but their glory is an unworthy contrast as they behold Almighty God. “…they cast their crowns before [His] throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4.10-11). How much more should we, the saved and redeemed, be overwhelmed by the desire to praise?

As you consider this privilege, how often do you include praise in your prayers? How much of your prayer contains praise?Although quantity is not prescribed, the more we verbalize the greatness of God, the more truly amazed we will be.

“Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples.” (Psalm 77.13-14)