Together in Christ: 'Tender and Discreet Intimacy' — Song of Solomon 2:16

Sunday, April 7, 2024

My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, return to me, my love, like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains.

— Song of Solomon 2:16 NLT

Key Thought

I remember in those junior high years that a bunch of us adolescent boys discovered the Song of Solomon in our Bibles. We liked to quote the line: "Yes, I'm doing my daily Bible reading in the centerfold of the Bible, the Song of Solomon." We thought we were clever, and the subject appealed greatly to our exploding adolescent interest in sex. Unfortunately, such a view of the Song of Solomon distorts the importance of this powerful song of love being in the Scriptures. Sexual intimacy between a husband and wife has always been sacred, beautiful, and precious to God. After all, God created us to have this intimacy as an expression of our love and loyalty to each other in marriage!

While this unique book speaks openly about the sexual relationship between a husband and wife, the poetic language is tender and discreet. The Song of Solomon is a celebration and reminder that God planned for sexual intimacy in the right setting with the right person. Our heavenly Father wants us to celebrate, enjoy, and bless our spouse with this expression of loving intimacy. [1] Far from being dirty or something not to be mentioned, the Song of Solomon reminds us that sexual love, appropriately expressed in marriage, is as wonderful as it is powerful. We should rejoice in God's gift to bless married partners, bring them closer together, and bless them with joy as well as a way to have children. The Bible refers to this act of love in marriage as "the two are united into one" [2] and something God pronounces as "very good!" [3] Let's not let the lack of sexual virtue in our culture steal from us the gift God intended for us in marital sexual intimacy!

[1] 1 Corinthians 7:2-5; Ephesians 5:21.
[2] Matthew 19:4-6.
[3] Genesis 1:26-27, 31, 2:24.

Today's Prayer

Father, please purify my heart and bless me as I seek to express my sexual love appropriately, tenderly, and discreetly recognizing it as your blessing for this time in my life. I want to honor you, so I present myself — my body — as a living sacrifice in every area of my life, [A] especially in expressing my sexuality. Please accept my earnest efforts to honor you with sexual purity as I "give honor to marriage" and commit to faithfulness in marriage. [B] In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

[A] Romans 12:1-2 NIV.
[B] Hebrews 13:4.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5
  • Matthew 19:4-6; Genesis 1:26-27, 31, 2:24

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Illustration

Illustration of Song of Solomon 2:16 NLT — My lover is mine, and I am his. He browses among the lilies. Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee, return to me, my love, like a gazelle or a young stag on the rugged mountains.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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