BELOVED, We are Gathered Here Today

Beloved. It’s not a word we use everyday…or ever. When I said it in my mind the only thing that sounded familiar was the title of today’s blog. We hear it spoken to all the family and friends gathered just before the bride and groom are invited to repeat vows . Or occasionally it is the beginning to a funeral service. The beloved are those gathered to say goodbye to the one they loved. Both are such solemn occasions. Beloved seems appropriate in such a setting.

But in this verse, it has a whole different emotion and audience.

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine…”

Song of Solomon 6:3

Song of Solomon is a allegorical story of two lovers, a king and his Shulamite. It’s beautiful, even in my limited scope of understanding. She has little to offer and He is grand in every respect, “outstanding among ten thousand” (S. of S. 5:10). Yet, she sings with such contentment that she is all His and He is hers. Their love anchored with this word of endearment, “beloved”. I had to look it up.

It turns out the word beloved in Hebrew is dodi. Dodi is where the name David comes from. It actually comes from the word yadiyad which means beloved friend. Want to go a little deeper? Yad means hand and yadiyad translates hand and hand. Isn’t that a beautiful picture of friendship?

So the Shulamite describes their mutual love as an intimate friendship, walking hand and hand with her beloved friend. It blows my mind to imagine the Lord desiring that kind of relationship with me. Talk about a Shulamite, I really have so very little to offer HIM. We are truly unmatched in relationship. Yet, I am His and He desires me. Find that hard to believe? Read this.

“I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me.”

Song of Solomon 7:10

It’s not pity, tolerance, or good deeds that keep us together. He desires….me. I wonder if He might enjoy my strange thoughts and everyday observations. He may like my corny jokes or my painful attempts at the piano. I don’t know really. But like the Shulamite, I sing with gusto, “His desire is for me!” And of course, you.

Need more proof? Revelation 4 gives us a glimpse at the throne room. As the twenty-four elders lay down their crowns they say something that gives us a glimpse of God’s view of creation. I like the way the King James Version puts it:

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Revelation 4:11

You see? You and I were created by God for His pleasure. He enjoys you and me. He finds pleasure in watching over our lives. He knows our frame and has written our days. Yet, we are not some kind of Barbie doll that God plays with for His entertainment. We are so much more. This is all very real for Him. Remember God is so in love with us that He gave His only Son for our salvation and forgiveness. This is not a game. But we are His pleasure.

Think about your own children. You did not “create” them only to play with or to provide you with hours of entertainment. You gave birth to them and fell in love even before their first cry. I remember thinking, prenatally, I was holding the best looking sonogram ever scanned. He was the cutest fetus ever! My son has been my pleasure all of his days. Has every day been a picture of obedience? No. Every homeschooling lesson a beautiful exchange of questions and knowledge? HA! Not to mention potty training, monitoring social media, and eating your vegetables. There have been hard seasons along the way. But pleasure, yes he has been our pleasure all of his days.

That’s God. You may have shared some rough times and regretful decisions. He will forgive those. He created you for His pleasure. Spend your days and nights pleasing Him. Share a funny thought with Him. Tell Him the things you love about life. He enjoys you. Be honest. He loves to hear your feelings. A friend and I were talking today about the absolute freedom to our soul when we verbalize our feelings and worries to Him. Even in that, God finds pleasure. And you my friend, will find peace.

This love fest between Our Beloved and us is described so well with this verse:

“He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.”

Song of Solomon 2:4

Allow me some imagining. God takes me, hand in hand, into the banquet room. Oh the delights to be discovered. The tables are laden with exquisite flower arrangements and crystal glasses and gold platters. My eyes are dazzled by all the colors and elegance. The food is beyond description and I wonder where He is going to seat me. Every table so interesting, where will He lead me?

It’s then I notice the banners. Above the grandeur of each setting, a banner displayed. Each one reads a different description. I read to my left and right, stand on my tiptoes, stretching and straining, looking over his shoulder to find the one where I might belong.

The first one I read is KNOWLEDGEABLE. Not exactly me. I can only wish as we pass by.

Next, WORK IN PROGRESS. Yep, that’s where I belong. I prepare to sit when I feel the Lord tug my hand harder. Well, I thought I was progressing.

Next table, CHRISTIAN Class 2. Probably… on a good day. The Lord continues to lead. No, this isn’t my table. Evidently there is a Class 3…or 12.

I’m getting a little discouraged. We walk past WEAK WITNESS. Thankfully. Although I’m sure the Lord knew that was an apt description of the friend with whom He held hands.

Then I saw it. FORGIVEN. I immediately attempted to pull out a chair. I don’t want to be noticed at the head of this table, but thankful that it’s true. The Lord pushed in the chair. It was not for me. Nonplussed, I had to ask. “Lord, surely I am forgiven. Please let me sit here.”

The Lord smiled and squeezed my hand. “Yes, you are forgiven, my daughter, but it is not for your sins that I know you. Come on.”

We then passed the banner MUCH AFRAID and honestly I know the Lord could feel my trembling hand. But that wasn’t my table either.

We were nearly to the back of the room. It was quieter there and not so distracting with glitter and glam. I knew these tables were more intimate and the arrangements were conducive to quiet times spent together. Tears and laughs would be shared. Such was the peace of this setting that i knew whispered conversations could be understood here. My feelings and questions felt welcome.

I was so thrilled when God pulled out my chair. My heart filled with anticipation as I plopped down and found the arrangement so cozy. My soul was at home. I was in this new place and my soul found rest.

The Lord had seated me at the perfect table. Of course He did. He knew exactly what I needed. I would never be happy under any other banner. I turned to the Lord with tearful gratitude in my eyes. “Lord, this is splendid. You have found my table. You know me, Lord. I didn’t even get the chance to read the banner. What is it, Lord? Who am I to You? What is my banner?”

I will never forget His smile as He turned my chair so I could read the banner. “You belong here, because my banner over you is LOVE.”