A Lily Among The Thorns

Illus: A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.

• After explaining the commandment to, "honor thy father and thy mother," she asked "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

• Without missing a beat, one little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

Some Books of the Bible are more difficult to understand than others, but every Book of the Bible has a very special message for us.

The book of Solomon has a very special message. It is different from all the other Books of the Bible.

• It is not like the Book of ACTS that tells us of the activities of the New Testament church.

• It is not like the Book of REVELATION that tells us of the end time events that are yet to occur.

• It is not like the Book of Proverbs that is written that we might know wisdom and instruction.

• It is not like the Book of Job that helps us to understand that Satan cannot bring financial and physical destruction upon us unless it is by God's permission.

The book of Solomon has a very special purpose, and once you begin to understand that purpose, you can understand why some people consider this book to be one of their favorites.

WHAT KIND OF BOOK IS THE BOOK OF SOLOMON? It is a book that tells us what GOD THINKS OF YOU AND ME.

We all care about what others THINK OF US! I know there are some folks who will say, “I do not care what others think of me!” But there is not an ounce of truth to that statement.

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK OF THEM? Because these same people will not leave the house each day until they look their best, wear their best and drive their best so others will think well of them.

Some people care so much about what others think of them:

• They have gotten themselves deep in debt buying things they should have never bought

• They are afraid to do the right thing because they are afraid someone might think badly of them

We all care a great deal about what others think of us.

Illus: This is one of the problems this nation has in the wars we now fight. We know what needs to be done, and we have the military power to do it, but we are afraid if we do what needs to be done, other nations will not like us.

Of course they won’t, but we should not base what is right on what is popular. We have to do what is right and let the chips fall where they may.

We really only need to consider two things each day:

(1) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOURSELF?

(2) WHAT DOES GOD THINK OF YOU?

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT GOD THINKS OF YOU? The Book of Solomon tells us! We need to consider three things, such as:

I. WE HAVE A COMPARISON

In Solomon 2:1-2, God’s love for us is so great that God says, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.”

God’s love for us is compared to a beautiful flower. Each day God gives His beautiful love to us. God compares His love to a “Lily among thorns”.

Illus: Life is filled with comparisons. People have been complaining about the rising price of gasoline recently. "Auto Week" magazine tries to make us feel better when we compare gas to other things, such as:

• Diet Snapple 16 oz for $1.29 = $10.32 per gallon

• Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz for $1.19 = $9.52 per gallon

• Gatorade 20 oz for $1.59 = $10.17 per gallon

• Ocean Spray 16 oz for $1.25 = $10.00 per gallon

• Quart of Milk 16 oz for $1.59 = $6.32 per gallon

• Evian (water) 9 oz for $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon

• STP Brake Fluid 12 oz for $3.15 = $33.60 per gallon

• Vicks Nyquil 6 oz for $8.35 = $178.13 per gallon

• Pepto Bismol 4 oz for $3.85 = $123.20 per gallon

• Whiteout 7 oz for $1.39 = $254.17 per gallon

• Scope 1.5 oz for $0.99 = $84.84 per gallon

So next time you're at the pump, be glad your car doesn't run on Nyquil or Scope or Whiteout!

Sometimes we compare things to see which is THE WORST. Sometimes we compare things to see which is THE BEST.

But when it comes to what God thinks of us, HE COMPARES HIS LOVE FOR US TO SOMETHING GOOD….FLOWERS!

WHY DOES A MAN WHO LOVES A WOMAN GIVE HER A BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET OF FLOWERS? Someone said, “When a man brings his wife flowers for no reason - there's a reason.” Flowers sends a POWERFUL MESSAGE!