NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Romans 1-3
SCRIPTURE READING
Song of Solomon 4:10 (NIV); How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more
pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!
If we could just realize that God actually delights in us, we would see ourselves and our
surroundings so differently. A painter doesn’t cast off his greatest work of art; a composer
doesn’t hide his magnum opus. If the creator of a masterpiece truly views his work as such, he
will examine and enjoy it. Because God called his creation excellent and made it complete with
humans we can be sure that He examines and enjoys us. Solomon’s affectionate love song
illustrates the feelings of God: He takes pleasure in our love for Him, and it is unlike anything
else. Stop and think about that: God has seen everything: exotic and far-off places, the most
savoury food, the thrill of success, the wildest of dreams… all that we would deem to be the
most incredible experiences God has already fathomed, and all of them pale in comparison to
us. This is humbling, and yet invigorating! To repeat the words of the psalmist, “O Lord, who am
I that you are mindful of me?”
God’s delight doesn’t blind Him to our sin. A child can be adorably delightful, yet a temper or
sour mood calls for punishment. The Father’s love is unconditional, yet necessary punishment
keeps us in line and teaches us the goodness of His ways. As we learn those ways, our
temperament becomes more delightful and the intimacy of our relationship deepens.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. How have you been a temperamental child towards the Lord? Ask God to show you these
areas of sin and take time to repent and think about how you can turn from your own ways.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal different ways that God delights in you. Ask Him for a specific
understanding of these things. Do you believe Him?
3. Meditate on the truth that, among all of the wonderful places and experiences out there, God
values you above all of them. Allow this to bring you into worship.
