Also called Song of Solomon, these poems celebrate the beauty, wonder and mystery of human love. Jewish scholars have treated it as an allegory of God’s love for Israel and Christians have seen it as an image of Jesus’ love for the Church. The short eight chapters reveal the passion with which God loves us and hopefully inspires our gratitude for God’s relentless pursuit of us. God is not fickle; God does not love us only now and then. God’s love is constant and reliable; God is always loving-compassionate-kind.
As a caretaker, perhaps you have experienced times when God seems distant, silent or absent. Any complaint against God can be a prayer. Too often we have misconceptions of who God is. We may ask how can a loving God allow this to happen? These are the times we are in pain. The psalms of lament are songs and poems in which the psalmist cries out to God in times of deep despair and distress. For instance, Psalm 13:2, “How long, Lord? Will you utterly forget me? How long will you hide Your face from me?”
The Psalms show us that it is acceptable to remind God of His care for us and that we have experienced His loving care in the past. Praying the psalms is bringing our laments to the Lord, these cries of pain arise out of a clash of our faith and experience. Our perception of God influences how we see the circumstances of our life. Do you see the God of punishment, one who keeps score of faults or are you able to view God as Rescuer? (Psalm 34:18-19)
Meditation from the Word Among Us, “Jesus could have prevented the storm from happening, but He didn’t. He could have calmed the waves at the first sign of trouble, but He let the storm continue to build. It’s a good example of how He doesn’t always protect us from the difficulties of life. Sometimes He uses them for our greater good. They can make us wiser, more compassionate and more aware of His love and presence. Never forget Jesus cares so much that He’s right there in the boat with you!”
A positive quote from Henri Nouwen, “You can’t see the whole path ahead, but there is usually enough light to take the next step.” A powerful verse about God’s love is Ephesians 3:17-19, “And that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Despite any negative circumstances, as you can, try a few minutes contemplating how very much you are loved!