“I Am My Beloved’s, and His Desire Is Toward Me”
Song of Solomon 7:10
by
Dr. Steven G. Cook
I. Introduction
A. One of the most intimate books in the Word of God is the Song of Solomon.
B. In this book, we learn something of the love of Christ for His Bride, the Church which is vividly portrayed by the love demonstrated a shepherd/king for his Shulamite bride.
C. I believe this verse is the KEY VERSE of the Song of Solomon – “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.”
D. As we come to a close of 2002, let us embark upon 2003 with a renewed comfort and confidence in God’s Love for Us…
E. Let us rejoice in the knowledge that God loves us unconditionally – His love for us knows no limits, no bounds, and no end!
F. May God enable us to say, as did the Apostle Paul, “The love of Christ constrains us….”
G. John wrote in his 1st Epistle, “Behold, what manner of love the father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
H. As I first read this wonderful verse of Scripture, I was compelled to ponder upon it for days, then weeks, and now months!
I. “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me” – What depths of grace are hidden in this one verse alone!
J. My, how God stirred my heart as I meditated upon the meaning of this verse of God’s Word.
K. Maybe YOU need to be refreshed this evening as well.
L. No doubt ALL of us have enjoyed both good times and bad during this past year – times of sunshine and showers, of prosperity and pain, of victories and valleys.
M. God loves to comfort those in need – He delights in lifting up the downcast.
N. Again, look at Song of Solomon 7:10 and let God speak to your heart - “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.”
O. We who have been born-again can say the same thing of Christ! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
P. Let us now examine this wonderful verse more closely and pray that God will refresh and enrich us for the upcoming year 2003.
II. “I Am My Beloved’s”
A. First we notice that there are four (4) distinct aspects of this statement:
1. It is Personal – Notice the words I and My – both of these are personal pronouns. Just as the Shulamite bride personalizes her beloved, so we must personalize Jesus Christ. Christ will be of no benefit to you unless you claim Him personally. No one can be saved ON your behalf – It is something that must be done individually – But everyone has this promise of Christ - “and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out” (Jn. 6:37)
2. It is Present – Notice the verb “AM” – The Shulamite did not say that she “was” or “would be”; She declared, “I AM” – that’s right now – in the present. The same can be said of every child of God – “There is therefore, NOW, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1) Salvation occurs the moment a person repents of their sin and places their faith in the finished work of Christ.
3. It is Possessive – Notice the word “MY” – a possessive pronoun. There is a relationship that existed between the Shulamite and her beloved. Our relationship with Jesus Christ began the moment that we received Him as our Savior! We were literally purchased from the slave market of sin by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Twice, in other passages in the S of S, we find that the bride also declares, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine”- (S of S 2:16; 6:3) Praise God! What a wonderful relationship between Christ and His own!
4. It is Passionate – The term, “Beloved” is a term of endearment. The Shulamite had been redeemed by her shepherd/king, just as the saved have been redeemed by Christ. Is not Christ “beloved” by us?
a. In His infinite mercy and grace, He came into this world in the likeness of sinful man, yet without sin, to purchase our redemption.
b. He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, yet He willingly became our Substitute, He took our place in death, and He bore our sins upon Himself, nailing them to the Cross.
c. Can YOU not sing with the songwriter of old, “Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan…Oh, the grace that brought it down to man…Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span…On Calvary. Mercy there was great and grace was free…Pardon there was multiplied to me…There my burdened soul found liberty…at Calvary!”
III. “His Desire Is Toward Me”
A. The second half of this verse is as precious as the first half!
B. “His desire is toward me” – What a statement! What depth of grace and mercy!
C. Can YOU imagine? The desire of the Creator of all is toward us?
D. No wonder David wrote in Psalm 8:4 – “What is man that thou are mindful of him….?”
E. Yet, here in this one verse of Scripture we find that Christ’s DESIRE is toward us!
F. The word “desire” is a beautiful word – It literally means “to stretch forth; to long for”.
G. Everything God does is because of His DESIRE Toward Us!
H. We find in God’s Word the true Desire of God Toward Mankind -
a. Exodus 19:4 – To the Israelites God said, “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself.”
b. Jeremiah 29:11-13 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your hearts.”
c. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 – “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
I. An old pastor was asked, “In all of your 50 years of ministering, what is the most important things you have learned?” The old pastor replied, “I have learned 3 things:
1.) The world doesn’t know God.
2.) God wants the world to know Him.
3.) Those of us who know God need to tell those who don’t all about Him.”
J. Whenever you are downhearted and discouraged, remember, “I am my Beloved’s, and His DESIRE is toward me.”
K. Whenever you are going through the valley of the shadow of death, “I am my Beloved’s, and His DESIRE is toward me.”
L. Whenever you are hurting, and it seems no one cares for your soul, “I am my Beloved’s, and His DESIRE is toward me.”
IV. Conclusion
A. As we enter into 2003, will you not remember these valuable precepts?
B. Will YOU not say with Apostle Paul, “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.”
C. As we enter into this New Year, we say good-bye to 2002…both the good times and the bad. There is nothing that can be done to change what has already happened.
D. As one man put it, “You can’t change yesterday, but you can change today.”
E. May God enable us to remember and constrain us to serve Him as we ought in the days to come.
F. And what about YOU dear, LOST friend? Will YOU continue to find excuse to reject the One Whose DESIRE is toward YOU too?
G. God loves you, and He has proven His love for YOU by providing a means of salvation for YOU in the Person and finished work of His dear Son, Jesus Christ.
H. Why not come and receive Him this very night – What a glorious New Year 2003 will be IF you do!
