MY BELOVED IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY

Jesus has been called My Beloved 33 times in the Scripture; 23 of which are in seven of the eight chapters of the Songs of Solomon, 1 time in the book of Isaiah and 9 times in the Gospels. In this particular book (Songs of Solomon) we see Solomon speaking as one of the Brides of Christ. In adoration she describes, yearns for and searches for her Beloved with songs of endearment. There is a burning desire, a void, a loneliness and emptiness projected, even by the mere thought of the absence of the Beloved. There is no joy, no peace and no rest for her Soul without her Beloved.

Solomon was God appointed, God anointed and God blessed. He was the wisest man ever and a very great king. Born a Prince the son of King David he inherited great wealth when he became King and was made extremely wealthy by a special blessing from God. He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines. Yet he did not have happiness. The Joy of the LORD was not his strength. Having turned from keeping the Commandments of God, he became detached from the God who appointed him, anointed him and blessed him.  The Spirit of the LORD was no longer with him. Now all his earthly possessions were of no use to him in this time of need. He counted everything as vanity (Ecclesiastes chapters 1 through 12). With all his wealth and relationships he projected a picture of loneliness with great yearning to be with the one whom his Soul loved.  His heart yearned for His Beloved. (Songs of Solomon).

Today we would be yearning even more than Solomon, for our Beloved: but for the love of the LORD which is shed abroad in our hearts and maintained by the indwelling Holy Spirit; the Comforter, who not only comforts, but also teaches, guides, protects and sustains us through life. When we became saved the Holy Spirit indwells us and is the transforming power that takes us from a materialistic indulgent life to a Spirit filled life. We move from residential citizenship to becoming foreigners with temporary residency status, facing the reproach of the citizens of the world in which we once lived as citizens. We would not be able to bear this reproach; as we wait in this Valley of the shadow of death; without the indwelling Spirit of the LORD to sustain us. It was very important for the Disciples and for us: that Christ after his Resurrection, should show himself to them and many more above 500 to strengthen and encourage them as they waited for the Comforter to come and indwell them; and to confirm for us the Truth of the Promise of Eternal Life. Because Christ lives, we are assured of the fulfillment of this Promise and therefore continue to live in hope. For the unsaved person things will appear normal as usual in this Valley, even as they hasten toward utter destruction. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5: 3). Our hope is not in wealth, health and power as these cannot give eternal life; but in a Savior who is Christ the LORD. For the Believer who is under attacks from the forces of evil, the Beloved is always present: providing strength and power for endurance. Unlike Solomon we are not lamenting, yet like Solomon we are able to boast: “My Beloved is mine and I am his: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. His mouth is most sweet”. Christ is my Beloved and Christ is my Friend. “MY BELOVED IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY”.  

Love you with the love of the LORD.   Be blessed.

W. Bennett