Scripture Union Daily Guide 19 March 2024
Scripture Union Daily Guide 19 March 2024, Tuesday Devotional Message
TOPIC: The Deep Yearning of Love
Opening Prayer: Open my eyes O Lord that I might behold wondrous things from your word in Jesus name.
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF SONG OF SONGS
Does God have anything to say to us about love, sex, and intimacy? Is the Bible against romance? Many believers view love and sex in a negative way. God created us in love and for love. Because sin has demeaned love and sex does not mean that it has lost its original intent. Song of songs is what the Bible offers us about it.
The author of this book is king Solomon. The theme and the climax of this song is what we find in Chapter 8:6-7 which gives us the description and power of love. Its purpose is to let us know that love and sexuality is a normal part of marital life and that as God’s people we are to celebrate it in marriage. It is only when we take love and sex out of marriage that it becomes a dangerous and destructive game. Many have regarded the book as a spiritual allegory representing the holy affection existing between God and His chosen people, Israel, or Christ and His Church (Hosea 2:19-20; Ephesians 5:25-32).
As we read Song of songs, let us appreciate our humanity as part of God’s creation in us and that God wants us to express it well and enjoy it within the context of marriage.
Today’s Scripture: SONG OF SONGS 1:1-17
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
• Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 19 March 2024 MESSAGE
This is King Solomon’s Song of songs, the best and the greatest of all the songs he wrote (v.1 cf. 1 Kings 4:32); and it is a song about human love. Till today, love songs carry a lot of emotions, commands great followership and touches us at the very foundation of our being. Love is God’s greatest gift to mankind. He made us for love, to receive and to give love.
Notice how the two lovers expressed their love and desire for each other (vs.1-4,9-16). Human love grows best when we verbalize it and in an atmosphere of constant and heartfelt praise for each other. Lovers are never tired of hearing their beloved ones praise them, neither does God. He desires our love and never grows tired of hearing us say, “I love you Lord”. We see the solitude and exclusiveness of love in vs.3-4. As a couple how much time do you spend alone enjoying each other’s presence and warmth?
Read vs.5-6 again and see one of the things that can affect our love life.
Practice/Word Application
And so: As a couple take time to be alone. Using vs.15-16, confess how you feel about each other and verbalize your love for each other in a positive way.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Thank God for the gift of love and sexuality. Also ask for God’s help to use it in the right way as God desires it.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Philippians 4:19
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 79 – Deuteronomy 28-29
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Tue Mar 19, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
CHILDREN WORK\/AVAILABILITY OF WORKERS
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs’. John 21:15
THANK GOD FOR:
• The successes recorded so far in the children ministry within the region despite the challenges and oppositions being experienced in some schools and various societal ills in our environment.
• The commitment of the children teachers in all the areas within the region in making themselves available and assisting in proper handling of the vulnerable among them.
PRAY FOR:
• God to raise more labourers who have burden\/passion for this ministry for positive impact in the lives of our children.
• Our children’s salvation as they attend programmes and willingness on their part to consistently remain attached to the lord bearing good fruits in their homes.
Zeal on the part of these children to share their experiences of Christ with peer groups and invite them to scripture union fellowship\/clubs to grow the fellowships.
