READING FOR JULY 7, 2025: SONG OF SONGS 3, 1 THESSALONIANS 2, PSALM 65:9-13 SONG OF SONGS 3 Some have considered the references to night and the quick shifts of scenery in this chapter as being a dream of the woman about her beloved. Of course, that is possible since this is a song/poem, not a news report. But this writer’s tendency to see the scriptures as being sufficiently plain in its meaning does not find this to be necessary or persuasive. The woman’s evening thoughts focused upon seeking her beloved’s presence. At a certain point, she took action to search for him, even asking the night watchmen if they had seen him. Just then, she was rewarded by finding him and she clung to him.
Could this be picture of our seeking, finding, and clinging to God? Ephesians 5:23 portrays our relationship with Jesus as a bride to her bridegroom: “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church.” Just like the woman, we must earnestly seek God: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). And we must cling to Him no matter what happens: “Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him” (Deut. 10:20). It seems that this woman will not let go of her beloved until her wedding night. Having thus committed herself, she again advises her friends, “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” Let’s hold onto Jesus until life’s journey ends and our faith becomes sight in His eternal presence.
Then we see Solomon approaching in an exquisitely arrayed chariot accompanied by 60 fully armed warriors. He has the material resources to provide for her and to protect her, just as any husband should have when entering into marriage. The woman proudly points out her groom to her friends. Many times over the years, this writer has witnessed widows at Yorktown Methodist Church lovingly recall their years of marriage with pride and thanksgiving. It is beautiful to behold. Thanks to all of you for this witness of your great love! Likewise, we can point others with pride and thanksgiving to our incomparable Jesus.
1 THESSALONIANS 2 You may recall that Paul’s visit to Thessalonica abruptly ended when he snuck out or town at night. Yet, his overall reflection upon the trip was positive due to the church that had taken root and flourished. There was a posse of detractors that followed Paul to the next town, Berea, in an attempt to ruin his ministry there. Perhaps Paul felt the need to vouch for the authenticity and accuracy of the gospel he preached to the Thessalonians to safeguard the truth from the attacks of the city’s resident detractors.
READING FOR JULY 7, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 THESSALONIANS 2, PSALM 65:9-13 Sometimes one hears that the full Biblical message of the gospel will not be received today and thus should not be emphasized so that we can draw more people to church. Although it is hard to dispute the gospel’s staying power of over 2,000 years, even if that statement were true, Paul says that would not convince him to change his message. He said he is not a people pleaser but a God pleaser. As Paul correctly says, God is our witness. Consider the above warnings from Hebrews 12 about not approaching God through Jesus and the new covenant.
Paul also provides wisdom to those who convey the truth. He advocates gentleness, true affection, hard work without complaining, not being a burden, and setting a good example that can be followed by those who receive the truth. Who is ready to sign up for our outreach team based upon this, especially knowing it may result in our being chased away? Paul seems to think it is still a good deal: “For who is our hope, or joy or crown of pride, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Or is it not indeed you? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thes. 2: 19-20).
PSALM 65:9-13 For some reason, these verses can leave us sad. We can be sad that we have passed by so much countryside or park land and not contemplated the richness of the vegetation growing in the earth, the serene herds and flocks grazing unconcernedly amidst the world’s turmoil, and the unspoiled nature with all its wildlife interacting freely and yet precisely according to God’s unseen hand. David says this did not happen by accident, but that God visits the earth to cause it to overflow with these riches. But do we notice when the hills rejoice? Do we hear grain-covered fields shout and, yes, sing for joy? Somehow King David paid homage to these divine visits in the midst of his kingly responsibilities. Why don’t we?
Paul made the following comments about David in one of his synagogue sermons: “He [God] raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will’” (Acts 13:22). Obviously, David was a man of gigantic failings but still God called him a man after His heart who does His will. Might David’s sensitivity to the majestic work of God that surrounds yet often escapes us contribute to his being such a man? Might lifting these realities up to his conscious thoughts and those of others be part of doing God’s will? Maybe it’s not too late for us to do the same.
