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Altogether beautiful…. (devo reflection)

Song of Songs 4:7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. (NIV)
This verse has always struck me. We are none of us perfect, but this speaks to love and to focusing on the positive, building up the one you love. What a gift.
Song of Songs 4:7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling, beautiful in every way. (NLT)
It puts me in mind of 1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Song of Songs 4:7 O my love, you are altogether beautiful and fair. There is no flaw nor blemish in you! (AB)
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder to focus on the good, to love and edify each other. Thank You for Your fierce love of Your children. Draw us closer. Amen.
Song of Songs 4:7 You are absolutely beautiful, my darling; there is no imperfection in you. (CSB)
Have a blessed day.
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The one my heart loves….

Song of Songs 3:1a All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves….
Today’s chapter brings to mind the ideas of longing, fellowship, and intimacy (not necessarily sexual, but the text could be read that way). I talked yesterday about the ideas of belonging and isolation and how we are hardwired for community, ideas that are definitely woven through this text.
Song of Songs 3:1b …I looked for him but did not find him.
This morning, as is rather common, I find myself exhausted. So while I know with all sincerity that community is important, that we are made for community, I also know that rest for our weary souls is important, too.
Song of Songs 3:2a I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that we need fellowship and intimacy (going beyond surface connections) in our lives. Additionally, we need rest and renewal to be able to function well in this life. Help me draw closer to You always. Give me rest for my soul. Amen.
Song of Songs 3:2b …I will search for the one my heart loves….
Have a blessed day.
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His banner over me is love…. (devo reflection)

Song of Songs 2:1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
One of the topics we are discussing in my classes right now is the idea of belonging and the sting of isolation. I’ve always interpreted verse 1 as the speaker exalting herself as beautiful, but commentary points out that these are not showy, ornamental flowers. She’s describing herself as fairly ordinary. Don’t we all feel the isolation of ordinary at times?
Song of Songs 2:2 Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women.
But the male speaker loves her, claims her as his beloved, despite her view of herself. He sees her as a rose among thorns. His banner of belonging over her is unconditional love. I can’t help but see a model of Jesus’s love for me (and you and all) here.
Song of Songs 2:4 Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for seeing my internal worth and beauty despite my flaws and despite my own opinion of myself at times. Thank You for waiving Your banner of love and acceptance over me and declaring me as Your beloved. Help me to love others as fiercely and unconditionally as You love me. Draw me closer. Amen.
Song of Songs 2:10 My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.
Have a blessed day.
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My beloved…. (devo reflection)

Song of Songs 1:12 While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.
So many things fascinate me about this book. One is that it is so unlike anything else in the Bible, which begs the question: How does it fit with everything else? Another is that it seems to tell a story, but it isn’t chronological. Commentary calls it “a collection of ‘snapshots’ … not necessarily in order.” Why?
Song of Songs 1:13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts.
The descriptions remind me a bit of life—weird, messy, confusing. And the book comes on the heels of Ecclesiastes telling us to enjoy even the little things but to remember that God is what gives this life meaning.
Song of Songs 1:14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the ability to puzzle through things that confuse us. Thank You for giving my life meaning. Help me to use the study of Song of Songs to bring me closer to You. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.
Song of Songs 1:15 How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.
Have a blessed day.
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The conclusion of the matter…. (devo reflection)

Ecc 12:13a Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter….
The premise of the bulk of Ecclesiastes is that everything is pointless. In the last two verses of the entire chapter, the author makes his real point, phrased by one commentator as: “If God cares as much as this, nothing can be pointless.” Putting aside my issues with the rest of the book, I can fully get behind this sentiment.
Ecc 12:13b …Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
If nothing is pointless with God, that means every trial, every heartache, every misstep has a purpose—to bring me closer to Him. I cling to the eternal hope in that thought. It allows me to say, in those times when my heart is shattered and life makes no sense, “I do not like this, God. I do not understand it. I do not want it. I would never choose it. But I know You. I love You. I trust You. I know You can use ALL things, even this, for my good and Your glory. Draw me closer to You.”
Ecc 12:14a For God will bring every deed into judgment….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that can only come from You. Draw me closer. Always. Help me to live this life for You and my eternal home. Amen.
Ecc 12:14b …including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Have a blessed day.
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What my heart longs for…. (devo reflection)

Ecc 11:4a Whoever watches the wind will not plant….
I read commentary for background details that I might not otherwise know, but I always take their words and hold them up to my own filter, to what I know to be true of my Savior. Commentary views this section through the lens of disobedience: if you don’t do what you are supposed to because you are too busy focusing on the little details, you are being disobedient. The implication, at least in my mind, is that you will be punished for that disobedience.
Ecc 11:4b …whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
I think the analogy of God as parent is appropriate. As a parent myself, my primary focus is not the disobedience of my children so I can punish. Rather, my heart longs for them to trust that what I want for them is in their best interest and to be obedient because of that trust. That shift in perspective, for me, is huge. That trust, for me, is a daily struggle (and the fact that it is a struggle is a daily frustration).
Ecc 11:5a As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed a in a mother’s womb….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for not being a task-master God, who jumps at the opportunity to punish disobedience. Thank You for wanting me to trust You and for Your fierce patience as I traverse this path. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ecc 11:5b …so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Have a blessed day.
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Sharpening the ax…. (devo reflection)

Ecc 10:10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success. (NIV)
Commentary contained an interpretation of verse 10 that focused specifically on the Christian worker. But if we are all to work as though working for God instead of human masters (Col 3:23), wouldn’t that be all of us, all the time?
Ecc 10:10 Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. (NLT)
Renewal is important. Nourishing my soul so that I can give my Savior 100% effort is important. If my ax is dull, it will take more effort for the same outcome, leading to burnout. If I’m burned out, I’m no good to anyone.
Ecc 10:10 If your ax is dull and you don’t sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is smarter to plan ahead.  (GNT)
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder to nourish my soul, to be still and know, so that I can root myself in You. Help me to sink my roots deep into Your love. Give me a firm foundation. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ecc 10:10 If you don’t sharpen your ax, it will be harder to use; if you are wise, you’ll know what to do. (CEV)
Have a blessed day.
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Focus on hope…. (devo reflection)

Ecc 9:4 As long as we are alive, we still have hope….
Once again, I am intentionally choosing to focus on hope as I read Ecclesiastes. The second half of verse 4 is: “…just as a live dog is better off than a dead lion.” Not very positive. But the first part, as long as there is life, there is hope, I can definitely get behind. Hope, God’s hope, is what keeps me going.
Ecc 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might….
And with verse 10, I choose to focus on hope, shoving aside the second part of the verse, which says, “…for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.” I know that God can use ALL things (Romans 8:28), so whatever the task in front of me, I’ll work at it with all my might, as though working for God instead of human masters (Col 3:23).
Ecc 9: 17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that can only come from You. Thank You for allowing me to focus on the positive and uplifting. Help me to shine Your light for all to see. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ecc 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Have a blessed day.
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The enjoyment of life…. (devo reflection)

Ecc 8:15a So I commend the enjoyment of life….
At a glance, this verse appears to finally contain some positive counsel: Eat, drink, and be merry! And while that is upbeat at least, the sub-context is: Life is meaningless. You may as well make the best of it by enjoying the meaningless pleasures. Sigh.
Ecc 8:15b …because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. 
For me, it boils down to trust—something I am really bad at, but I’m trying. There is so much I do not understand in this life, and I think one day I will be in a position to find answers. But when that day finally arrives and I see Jesus face to face, I really don’t think those answers will be so important any more. So I try to trust —through my anger, confusion, and heartbreak—in the One who loves me fiercely. And I try to find the joy in each day because that joy is a gift from God.
Ecc 8:15c …Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You that I don’t see life as meaningless, even when I don’t understand. Thank You for infusing Your joy in every day. Help me to see and savor it. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ecc 8:15d …God has given them under the sun.
Have a blessed day.
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Jesus is my hope…. (devo reflection)

Ecc 7:14a When times are good, be happy….
Once again the speaker takes a depressing view of the situation (look all the way to the end of verse 14), but I just can’t. Again, I know the speaker’s endgame is to remind the audience that only God’s presence gives life meaning. When I look at these verses, that truth is what I see.
Ecc 7:14b …but when times are bad, consider this….
The end of verse 14, the fact that “Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future,” is supposed to be the real zinger, but that’s where I find the most hope. I can’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future, and I know He can use all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). That’s why, “…I will always have hope….” (Psalm 71:14). Jesus is my hope.
Ecc 7:14c …God has made the one as well as the other. 
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that can only come from You. Infuse my spirit with Your hope so that I can share that hope with the world. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ecc 7:14d …Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
Have a blessed day.