Page 164 - Radical Love by Linda Robinson

SESSION 9 : Song of Songs Chapter 4:1-6

we are cherished, treasured, and beauty itself. And if we are having

difficulty believing this, then we must ask Him to make it plainly
obvious. Only when we really know how loved we are will we be able

to follow where He leads.

The Shulamite is overjoyed and encouraged by these words. We know

she has truly experienced His love because, as we see in the text, the

Bridegroom notices that her eyes—and I quote—“glisten with love like
gentle doves behind her veil.” Do you recall how doves represent being

single-focused? She only has eyes for her Beloved, and this turning of
her whole being towards Him is what has wrought within her a

significant transformation. What we behold, we become. Therefore, it
is no surprise that now, like Him, she has become gentle and humble.

She loves Him—but only because He has first loved her (see 1 John

4:19).

Theologian Henri Nouwen refers to this love of God for us as “First

Love.” Read these words he wrote on the subject:

“Knowing God’s heart means to consistently, radically, and most
definitely announce—and be convinced—that God is LOVE. So every

time fear, isolation, despair, or doubt begin to invade the human soul,
this is not from God.

This may sound very simple—and maybe for some people even trite—
but the truth is that very few people in the church really know that they

are loved without any conditions or limits attached.

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