RETURN, RETURN!
Today’s Reading: Song of Solomon 4-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Church of All Nations, also known as the Church or Basilica of the Agony, is a Roman Catholic church located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, next to the Garden of Gethsemane. It enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before His arrest (Mark 14:32-42). In the garden, there are some extremely old olive trees; perhaps they were there at the time of Christ. In 4:12a of today’s reading, the spouse is likened to a “garden enclosed.” This is a term of endearment indicating the exclusiveness of the marriage relationship. Here, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter began his human efforts to fight for Jesus, which ended in his denial of Jesus at the High Priest’s palace. For a brief time Jesus and his beloved Peter were separated, as were the “lovers” in today’s reading.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Song of Solomon 4:10
How fair is your love,
My sister, my spouse!
How much better than wine is your love,
And the scent of your perfumes
Than all spices!
Whether we read this poem as simply a love story between Solomon and the lovely Shulamite maiden, or a portrayal of the love between God and His people, we will not find a more tender and moving expression of love. The young woman, having missed her opportunity to welcome her beloved on his unexpected visit, goes out to search for him. Deep within her heart, she is certain of his love.
Could it be that we, who say we love God, do not respond to His presence immediately, and we miss the relationship He desires to have with us? Like the Shulamite we can search in many places for Him, but the message is clear in the last verse of our reading (6:13a): We are called to “Return, return…Return, return!” Let us return to the place where we first met Jesus, not to the physical location, but the place of repentance as did Peter after he had been challenged for the third time by a waitress in the courtyard of the High Priest (read Luke 22:47-62).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, like the Shulamite, I realize that I don’t deserve Your love, but I also recognize that You have chosen to love me. Please forgive me for not responding instantly to Your presence and Your love. I pray for grace to learn to return and to remain constantly in Your presence. I thank You that You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me. I’ve read this Lord, both in Deuteronomy and quoted in Hebrews 13:5. I pray this in the Name of the One who said, “I am with you always,” the Lord Jesus, Himself, Amen!!! (Matthew 28:18-20).
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I often have dreams like the Shulamite says in the song, “I sleep, but my heart is awake.” Her dream involved searching for her beloved, and of being beaten and wounded during her search (5:2-7). Like the woman in our reading, my heart seems to be awake first. Peter failed badly in his denial of knowing Jesus. His heart kicked in the moment his eyes locked with the eyes of Jesus. Often it’s my heart that kick-starts my brain, then my mind, in turn, ignites my will power and I correct my decisions and do the right thing!
Yours for the “return” to God of all who have known Him as children but have run far away, where they have been beaten and wounded,
David
Yes Im waiting for the return of My Lord and Saviour The Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth
Oh, Jesus! We are praying for all those who once knew you, and yet have been led astray, holding onto inner pain and tainted by the secular world. We call for all hearts to return to You, and bow down in prayer, on bended knee, Lord; flooding the open doors of your churches, here on earth. Rise up, and reclaim your love for Jesus. Do it now, before it is too late. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His love is comforting and all encompassing. He is the alpha and the omega. We are nothing without Him but everything with Him. He is the rock on which we stand. In His mighty and precious Name, we pray. And all the saints said, amen, amen and amen!
Through It All, Hillsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrKbu6OwJv0
Amen. Children & people of God. I just played the part of Simeon…one line, “I have seen God’s people suffer and stray and it had broken my heart…every day…called out to Him…send a Savior”
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Jer 24:7 ERV
Yes, awaken that love in family and friends who once knew you as You promised to love us with an everlasting love. Amen!
Yes…while there is still breath in our bodies…there is still time! there is still time!
Awaken the hearts of the lost OH Lord of the prodigals I pray, and keep my heart and soul awake in You Christ Jesus, Amen and Amen!!!
“I’m my beloved’s and He is mine”!!!
how odd! I have prayed often to God that if there is a nice guy somewhere, with a good sense of humour, likes music, has a good sense of life, a believer in God, in Jesus Christ, someone with a missionary heart, to send him across my path! AND I prayed that I would know that this person is from God……
yep! met someone who fits the description HOWEVER he is married! I had to laugh, that was one aspect that I did not mention to God that I would like a single guy, don`t care if he was divorced,…..so, God has a terrific sense of humour……and then to read the Scripture of today….WOW!
I just have to laugh at the whole situation!
So Lord it`s nice to know that there are some nice guys out there still…..maybe one day……in the meantime I am thankful for the gift of laughter!
live, love, laugh, smile, pray