It is easy to forget that the Bible contains many of the most beautiful passages ever written about love. These passages are usually only dusted off for weddings, but they are words that should be first on our lips. Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) is a rarely studied book because of its frequent risqué imagery. Kelli and I had “Song of Songs 8:6-7” inscribed on our wedding rings to remind us of the feeling we share.

Set me as a seal upon your heart
as a seal upon your arm,
for love is strong as death,
jealousy is fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
the very flame of the Lord.

Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
all the wealth of his house,
he would be utterly despised.

Kelli and I are high school sweethearts, naturally meeting and falling in love through our time in choir. One year we sang a setting of these words by Rene Clausen, and we often think back on how that beautiful song has touched our lives. It is only natural that we had these words spoken at our wedding as a reminder that even though the waters of life try to drown our love, it will prevail.

We find that in Galatians 5:22-23 that if we allow the Spirit to make a home in our hearts, the first attribute we will find ourselves emulating is love. Then we will fulfill Jesus’ second most important commandment, loving others without question, including both neighbors and those closest to us.

Prayer

God of Love, help me to allow the Spirit to take residence in my heart so that I might love as Jesus loved. Amen.