In this chapter the groom delights in his bride.
“Your neck is like an ivory tower. Your eyes are pools in Heshbon… Your nose is like a tower of Lebanon… Your head crowns you like Carmel, and your flowing locks are like purple; a king is held captive in the tresses. How beautiful and pleasant you are, O loved one, with all your delights!” (v4-6 abr)
Similar to how a groom delights in his bride, scripture tells us that God delights in His children. “He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” (Psa 18:19) “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God… you shall be called My Delight Is in Her… for the Lord delights in you… and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” (Isa 62:3-5)
How often do we meditate on the thought that “God delights in me”? If you’re anything like me, you may have a slightly lower opinion of yourself, and may even be thinking “I’m not worthy of God’s delight”. Please be assured that our own skewed view of ourselves does affect how God sees us. Psalm 18 reminds us that God delights in us, and rescues us from times of trouble. God delights in us even in our darkest times.
I encourage us all to spend a few minutes looking at ourselves through God’s eyes – you are His beloved child, fearfully and wonderfully made, the one in whom He delights. You are the beloved bride of Christ, redeemed through His compassionate sacrificial love, and you are invited into an eternity of perfect relationship with God our Creator. How can we not love ourselves in a healthy way when seeing ourselves through God’s eyes? Please, let’s try to see ourselves as God does, and experience His joy and delight in us.
Father God, our Steadfast Lord and Creator, we praise Your holy name. Though it may be beyond our understanding, we are grateful that You delight in us, Your children. Like a parent with a baby or a groom with his bride You look at us with unconditional love and the highest of opinions. Yet, we often don’t see ourselves through Your eyes. Please help us to love ourselves as You would, and extend that same love to everyone around us. May we experience joy in knowing we are Your beloved and delightful children, made in Your image, and redeemed for Your glory. May we reflect Your love to our neighbors, from this day forward, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training