|
|
|
|
There are a lot of things in life I enjoy: Flowers, children’s laughter, a new dress, a night out at a fancy restaurant, pretty things, and happy moments. But, it really is true that the very deepest and best things in life have been the kisses of the Bridegroom.
In fact, some of the worse, most painful times in have also been the best because my Bridegroom’s love was tangible. His kisses seemed to come more often and taste sweeter. Even His reprimands are a kiss.
I awoke one morning this week to an old hymn playing in my heart. “Burdens are lifted at Calvary. Calvary. Calvary. Burdens are lifted at Calvary. Jesus is very near.” A strong sense of the Lord’s care for me accompanied the melody.
The day before had held one minor disaster after the next and I’d been discouraged, but at that moment, Jesus felt close. His presence gave me the confidence to face another day.
According to pastor and speaker *Mike Bickle, I had just experienced a divine kiss. He writes that the divine kiss is a metaphor for intimacy with Christ, and that those special moments we share are like kisses from the Groom to His bride—a divine blessing that is better than anything else life has to offer.
Bickle gets this idea from the SOS 1:2a. “Kiss me again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine.”
“Kiss me again and again, for your love is sweeter than wine. How fragrant your cologne, and how pleasing your name! No wonder all the young women love you! Take me with you. Come, lets run! Bring me into your bedroom, O my king.” Song of Solomon 1:2-4a (NLT)
Attention from the Divine is always better than anything mortal.
I love how the bride in the Song of Solomon begs her groom to kiss her “again and again.” She gets it! She knows that she needs His repeated attention. She craves intimacy with her Groom. She longs to be held so close to her King that she can taste His sweetness and feel His breath upon her neck.
I believe we all experience these divine kisses. Sometimes they come as a song in the night. Other times they are a Bible verse that leaps off the page and into our soul.
Perhaps for you the kiss has come in the form of a phone call at just the right moment. Or you’ve felt a brush of the Savior’s lips as you gaze at a beautiful painting or the splendor of nature.
His kisses are the expression of His love, reassurance that no matter the day, good or bad, He is with us.
Sadly, we too often miss His kisses. We brush them off as coincidence or feel their tingle but rush on with our day without slowing down to savor and acknowledge them.
Many of us just can’t believe the Creator of the Universe offers that kind of personal attention. So, we reason away the kisses that are trying to push past the walls of our heart and awaken it to Him.
And sometimes, we’re just afraid. It is scary to enter into intimate human relationships. We’re not sure where they will take us. We don’t know if we can trust the other person with our vulnerable places. It’s no different with God. Who knows what deeper relationship with Him will bring or require?
There are plenty of times I’ve been afraid of God’s embrace. I know He is love. I know He has only my best in mind. Yet, I’ve resisted intimacy. When this happens, the Lord slows down the progression of our relationship to give me time to learn to trust Him. He’s good like that. He knows my heart and never ravages it.
The Bridegroom is patient and wise and gentle. He waits until His tender bride realizes her longing for more of Him and states her it. “Kiss me again and again!” She cries. “Your kisses are better than anything else!”
And when she cries for intimacy, the Groom can’t resist her devotion. He comes running, making her eyes light up with joy and showering her with kisses.
Jesus. Your kisses are better than wine. Please kiss me again and again. Let the warmth of your intimate attention tear down the walls of my heart and reveal to me Your love. Open my eyes to see your intimate care and don’t let me rush past a single kiss.
*Song of Songs, The Ravished Heart of God: A verse-by-verse study guide by Mike Bickle.
January 23, 2006
|
|
|