“You are beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners” (vs4)
Faith grabs the Lord’s heart. He wants us to SEE that He has been conquered in love. Even as He LOVED us to our rejoicing, now, our love, in spite of His hard “no answers”, is enough to compel His heart.
He says, “O woman, great is your faith: be it unto you even as you will. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matt 15:28): God sees the faith of sinners under the conviction of sin, and for us to BELIEVE on Him, though we’re vile, is BEAUTIFUL in His sight - for the sinner to trust the Lord for mercy, when he’s sinful to the core.
This glory of DEPENDENCE and faith gives glory to God, believing that what He’s promised, though grand, He shall do… that though Abraham can’t have any children, he’ll have them as the stars of heaven and the sand of the sea - “faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what he had promised, he was able also to perform“ (Rom 4:20-21). This faith pleases God, and He rewards it, as promised.
“Your Teeth” (vs6)
You receive the word of God, even the rebukes, even when joy is absent. You aren’t a fair weather fan, but you believe through thick and thin. He is your only hope truly.
Be encouraged that it’s seen by God. He doesn’t disregard your faith, labor, love, and patience; He counts your afflictions and trials to be graciously and beautifully endured.
Fruitful Knowledge (vs7)
Your knowledge is FRUITFUL; it isn’t the dead knowledge of, “He is gone, so I am too”, but it is the gift of love for Christ, so that you’ve heard, believed, and glorified God by waiting patiently on His promise.
The life of FAITH is similar to the trial of faith, in that we WAIT for what we really want, because it isn’t heaven down here. We wait because He is faithful, and we get power the world cannot know to resist sin, failures, doubts, and grief. He saves us to GLORIFY Himself, as He has said.
Notice that the Lord commends us the same as He did in previous chapters, except now, we see our SINFULNESS more clearly, so we behold Him more distinctly from the pit. In chapter two, we say, “My beloved is mine, and I am his”, as we know that we have Him. In chapter 6:3, we say, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine”, so that we see Him holding us, even when our grip is weak and we have rebelled against Him willingly. When we are unfaithful and know it: we see His faithfulness. Our sins have taught us lessons of the grace of God, and whether I’m communing and enjoying Christ or seeking Him sorrowing, my faith is BEAUTIFUL and submission is pure.
“But One” (Song 6:8-9)
The Lord sees the uniqueness of the church: we are the one He loves, and we are the one that loves Him. There is none like the church, and He takes SERIOUSLY what the scripture calls true praiseworthiness in a woman. Prov 31:30 says, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised”, and the Lord sees us FEARING Him and loving Him, even after shutting the door and refusing Him fellowship (Song 5:3). The Lord sees the BEST of us, sees the new man’s love, and He commends us for it.
Be thankful that while you’re vile and wicked, you are also holy and good. You have JUSTIFICATION and sanctification, good works and good standing. You have faith, which PLEASES and glorifies God above all else in this world. Don’t ever think the Lord doesn’t observe you. He sees your beauty, is pleased with your person and work, and He shall reward you openly, first with comforting words, then fruit, then heaven.
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