Devotional
for the Week 28 May 2007
The
3Ps of Love
(Passionate love shows, Progressive love searches & Perfect
love satisfies)
Scripture Text: Song
of Songs 8:7
“Many
waters cannot quench love,
Nor can rivers drown it.
If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth,
His offer would be utterly scorned.”
Introduction
This text is set in Shunem, a farming community about 60 miles
north of Jerusalem. Solomon, the son of King David, while visiting
some royal vineyards, came upon a beautiful peasant woman tending
the vines. Although she was tanned from working under the sun,
she was extraordinarily beautiful. It was love at first sight.
(Song of Songs 4:9) The text gives us insight into the different
types and degrees of love.
1.
Passionate love expressed by the couple.
The
text shows us how passionate love expresses itself in words or
actions. When we love, we must let the one we love know that he
or she is being loved in a way that he or she feels loved. Author
Gary Chapman writes that this can be done through the 5 Love Languages
– Physical touch, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts
and Acts of Service.
Passionate
love is a powerful and creative force. However it must be centered
on the right object. In Solomon’s case, his love was far
from perfect. He loved many foreign women. (1 Kings11:1-3). This
was in spite of the fact that the Lord had instructed the people
of Israel not to marry them for these women would turn their hearts
to foreign gods. He also loved horses and kept many of them (1
Kings 4:26). In doing so, he ignored the Lord’s command
for a man not to multiply horses for himself. (Deuteronomy 17:16)
In
order for us to put our passionate love to use, we must love God
more than anyone or anything else. As the Apostle Paul urges us,
we should “secure undistracted devotion to the Lord”
(1 Corinthians 7:39)
2.
Progressive love examined by our conduct.
Song
of Songs shows us how love is progressive. As the book progresses,
we read of how our love moves from mere courtship, to its fulfillment,
to frustration and struggles and then finally to faithfulness
of love.
Similarly,
in our Christian discipleship growth process, we have to go through
various stages as well. We move from being spiritually dead to
being a spiritual child, then a disciple, then a disciple maker
and finally, a co-labourer in God’s Ministry. At every stage
of our growth, the goal of our instruction is love from a pure
heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5).
For we serve a God who is Love. Hence, as his disciples, we are
meant to embark on a revolution of love. In that sense, progressive
love is constantly surging ahead. If not, it is regressive.
Ultimately,
as we step out in love, we need to constantly examine our hearts
towards God. For He is and must always remain our first true Love.
3.
Perfect love exemplified by Christ.
In
the end, Song of Songs sheds light on the perfect love of Christ.
True satisfaction can only come when we are touched by the true
and perfect love of God. At His touch, we are filled up with His
love and praise will naturally come from our inmost being. For
in His love, we are most secure.
Prayer
Response
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your perfect love which satisfies
me and leaves me secure. Re-ignite my heart, O Lord, so You always
remain the first love of my life. May Your love transform my life
and those who are around me. Amen.
Devotional based on a message by Dr. Ho Boon Tiong