February 18, 2024
“Dance, dance, dear Shulammite, Angel-Princess! Dance, and we’ll feast our eyes on your grace! Everyone wants to see the Shulammite dance her victory dances of love and peace.” Song of Songs 6:13 (MSG)
“No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.” 1 John 4:12 (NASB)
Have you ever thought about how God has put rhythm in everything that He created? Without the order of creation, the universe would be in chaos! God has put all nature in tune. When things get out of tune and order, trouble and chaos are the results.
Reflecting on attending a concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Art in Washington, D.C. several years ago, I was able to witness the
beautiful synchronization of each instrument. Before the concert, the orchestra tunes itself to one basic tone. Otherwise, the result would be noise and not a symphony. It is the same with us, if our hearts are out of tune with God’s heartbeat of love, we will not be reconciled to Him and out of tune with each other.
Continuing with our focus for February often referred to as the “Love Month” and looking specifically at the book of Song of Solomon, our theme this week is “The Dance of Love.” The study of this book has been somewhat of a challenge theologically. It is a beautiful, poetic presentation of marital love and as previously noted, it is a beautiful love story, extremely personal, passionate, deeply intimate, and descriptive! It has been described as one of the greatest love letters ever written! It is only one love poem celebrating the intimacy of human love that has been completely inspired by the Holy Spirit in the canon of Scripture.
This week’s theme, “The Dance of Love” represents the intimate, harmonious, and joyful nature of the relationship between the lovers described in Song of Solomon. It is beautifully depicted and summarized in the Song of Solomon, where the relationship between Solomon and his beloved is depicted as a metaphorical dance. In the text, the imagery of dancing is used to symbolize gracefulness, intimacy, and the fundamental harmony in love.
QUESTION! If the rhythm is in natural things, the stars and atoms, surfs of the sea, seasons and harvests, the majesty of a mountain, the colorful beauty of a flower, the song of a bird, and even the beat of the human heart, why is it often not in human relationships? When people get out of tune with God, His plan, and purpose, disharmony and strife erupt.
As a nurse reflecting on my days working in cardiac intensive care constantly watching the cardiac monitor and the rhythmic display of the heart rhythm. It reminded me of the rhythmic dance which symbolizes the rhythmic flow of their love, the closeness they share, and the delight they take in each other’s presence. The dance serves as a metaphor for the physical and emotional intimacy they experience, as well as the mutual admiration and affection they have for one another.
Have You Invited God into the Daily Rhythm of Your Life?
I must admit I love to see praise dancers with their rhythmic, coordinated display of artistry to song. However, “The Dance of Love” depicted here far extends beyond the physical realm and serves as a representation of our relationship with God. Just as Solomon and his beloved wife move in synchronization with each other, our fellowship and connection with God should be marked by a harmonious rhythm of His love.
Do you have the grace to navigate the dance of love with God and others?
May we remember that, like a well-choreographed dance, the journey of love is marked by both grace and perseverance, leading us ever closer to the heart of God.
HEART 
CHALLENGE: Song of Solomon is a book about the sensuous love husbands and wives should have for each other. True sensuous love is a giving love, not a taking love!
What Kind of Love Does God Expect Husbands and Wives to Show to Each Other?
Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned. Song of Songs 8:6-7. (NLT)
“As the church submits to Christ, so your wives must submit to your husbands in everything. And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her.” Ephesians 5:24-25. (NLT)
After our love for God, nothing should take greater priority than the giving, sacrificial love we have for our mate. This love helps us learn more about how we are to love God, and it is an example to those who are learning about love.
“Give honor to marriage and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.” Hebrews 13:4 (NLT)
It is essential that before you are married you make a lifetime, irrevocable commitment to stay married. Then when problems come, you won’t be looking for a way out, but a way through.
A DANCING 
HEART: What are some things that come from a loving marriage relationship? The gifts that come from love are many. Here are a few:
- forgiveness
- patience
- kindness
- love for truth
- love for justice
- love for the best in a person
- loyalty at any cost
- belief in a person no matter what.
Real love does not allow for:
- jealousy
- envy
- holding grudges
- pride
- haughty spirit
- selfishness
- rudeness
- a demand for one’s own way
True love sees others in the best possible light!
How precious it is to be viewed by another through the eyes of love!
This is how we ought to view our spouse and others!
This is how God sees us, He looks upon us through the forgiving eyes of unfailing love
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your Word that provides us with clear instructions on how to love. Thank You Father for the gift of love which binds us together in a harmonious rhythm. May we be guided by the rhythm of Your love, finding strength in moments of closeness and strength in times of distance. Father, grant us the grace to navigate the dance of love with wisdom and humility. May our rhythmic moves be guided by your unending love, leading us ever closer to You and to one another, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.