Union with אלוהים
Love is as strong as death;
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
Love’s flames are vehement flames of fire,
the very flame of Yah.
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot sweep it away.
Intimacy with a Holy God
One woman’s journey of walking with a kind God Who burns with ardent flames of love.
I Have Not Forgotten You
Psalm 44
For ones who are suffering or even facing martyrdom.
(Reading time 3.7 minutes)
Within Psalm 44 are countless, insightful treasures in how to sustain a heart during suffering. These golden nuggets of wisdom direct us into a faithful heart of love that remembers our God Who spoke holy vows to us.
“All of this has come upon us and we have not forgotten You and we have not dealt falsely with Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back and our steps are not deviated from Your way. Yet, You have crushed us…and covered us with the shadow of death.” Psalm 44:17-19
Oh the beauty of a suffering heart that remembers the tender affections and promises of her God. Oh the endearment of the Bridegroom God Who gave His hand to us in an everlasting covenant of compassionate love, justice and faithfulness.
The sons of Korah, the authors of Psalm 44, are not strangers to feeling crushed. Their father Korah, a Levite, led a rebellion and their young eyes saw the earth open and swallow their father and friends alive after Moses prophesied the earth would open and carry them to Sheol. Yet, the Lord spared the sons of Korah. (Numbers 26:11)
These sons knew suffering and loss, yet, while in pain they were magnificently molded by…
Psalm 44
For ones who are suffering or even facing martyrdom.
(Reading time 3.7 minutes)
Within Psalm 44 there are countless, insightful treasures in how to sustain a heart during suffering. These golden nuggets of wisdom direct us into a faithful heart of love that remembers our God Who spoke holy vows to us in an everlasting covenant.
“You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to those all around us. You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples. My dishonor is continually before me, and the shame of my face has covered me, because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, because of the enemy and the avenger.”
“All of this has come upon us and we have not forgotten You and we have not dealt falsely with Your covenant. Our heart has not turned back and our steps are not deviated from Your way. Yet, You have crushed us…and covered us with the shadow of death.”
Psalm 44:13-19
Oh the beauty of a suffering heart that remembers the tender affections and promises of her God. Oh the endearment of the Bridegroom God Who gave His hand to us in an everlasting covenant of compassionate love, justice and faithfulness.
The sons of Korah, the authors of Psalm 44, are not strangers to feeling crushed. Their father Korah, a Levite, led a rebellion and their young eyes saw the earth open and swallow their father and friends alive after Moses prophesied the earth would open and carry them to Sheol. Yet, the Lord spared the sons of Korah. (Numbers 26:11)
These sons knew suffering and loss, yet, while in pain they were magnificently struck with and molded by the fear of the Lord.
“If we had forgotten the name of our God or extended our hands to a strange god, would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the hearts. But for Your sake we are killed all day long.” Psalm 44:20-21
God is able to discern the desires and intentions of each heart. We can deceive ourselves and others, but Yeshua, Who is Truth, knows our hearts and cannot be manipulated to believe anything less than what is real.
The sons of Korah grasped God’s omniscience, knowing even the secrets of their hearts. Through the Spirit of the fear of the LORD this knowledge hedged them in to only seek after Elohim and love Him wholeheartedly.
Making known His unfailing love, they grew to be consumed with yearning for God. Their “tongues were pens of a ready writer.” (Psalm 45) As they sang prophetic songs of God’s beauty and of their desire for Him, verses were brilliantly composed that have gone on to transcend ages and generations.
“As the deer pants for water so my soul longs for You, O God. …When can I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1 -2
“My heart overflows with a good theme… You are fairer than the sons of men. Grace is poured upon Your lips.” Psalm 45:1-2
“My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalm 84:2
The pleasures of the Presence of God awakened a determination to be close to Him and an unadulterated desire for Him that churned within. Yearning for God shined brightly, and this light was not diminished when they were “crushed.”
Being crushed like a rose, the sweet-smelling incense of worship was drawn out of them “delighting the heart” of God. (Proverbs 27:9) This aroma of love as strong as death permeates through the firmament, satiates the courtroom of God and delights God’s soul.
Prayer
Yeshua, strengthen the hearts of those who are suffering or even facing martyrdom. Help them remember You. Fill them with the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. In Your mercy capture their desires and ignite the flame of Love within them, the love as strong as death, unyielding as the grave, the very flame of Yah that cannot be quenched.
God, My Beloved, My Friend
My Revelation on the Island of Patmos: Part 3d of 5
While being tormented the Bride reveals God’s alluring beauty and inspires hearts to fall in love with Him. (Song of Songs 5:10-16) This Shulamite continues to be an inspiration to me as I persevere through physical pain. May the kindest, Beloved God with transcendent beauty, the Friend of the weak, reveal His love and keep our hearts from growing cold during times of suffering.
Kind Speech
“His mouth is most sweet…” Song of Songs 5:16 “…חִכּוֹ, מַמְתַקִּים”
You are the nicest One I know. I am dark, yet, with grace upon Your lips You convey Your affections to me by calling me lovely. You are remarkably more beautiful and more appealing than the sons of men.
Tender words empower my heart to believe as You beckon me to Your throne of grace to behold Your face and torn body. My Love, Your extravagant kindness leads me to turn again and again and again to You.
You call me Your rose, the delight of Your soul, the joy set before You. My fragrance, my simple devotion is Your desired inheritance. In stillness I consider what You think of me.
Transcendent Beauty
“Yes, He is altogether lovely…” Song of Songs 5:16 “…וְכֻלּוֹ, מַחֲמַדִּים”
Zeal of my heart, Desire of the nations, Your wholehearted love…
My Revelation on the Island of Patmos: Part 3d of 5
While being tormented the Bride reveals God’s alluring beauty and inspires hearts to fall in love with Him. (Song of Songs 5:10-16) This Shulamite continues to be an inspiration to me as I persevere through physical pain.
May the kindest, Beloved God with transcendent beauty, the Friend of the weak, reveal His love and keep our hearts from growing cold during times of suffering.
Kind Speech
“His mouth is most sweet…”
Song of Songs 5:16
“…חִכּוֹ, מַמְתַקִּים”
You are the nicest One I know. I am dark, yet, with grace upon Your lips You convey Your affections to me by calling me lovely. You are remarkably more beautiful and more appealing than the sons of men.
Tender words empower my heart to believe as You beckon me to Your throne of grace to behold Your face and torn body. My Love, Your extravagant kindness leads me to turn again and again and again to You.
You call me Your rose, the delight of Your soul, the joy set before You. My fragrance, my simple devotion is Your desired inheritance. In stillness I consider what You think of me.
Transcendent Beauty
“Yes, He is altogether lovely…”
Song of Songs 5:16
“…וְכֻלּוֹ, מַחֲמַדִּים”
Zeal of my heart, Desire of the nations, Your wholehearted love awakens my innermost being to the preeminence of Your glory, the brilliance of Your love.
Humbly and unreservedly You poured forth Your Being and offered the lowly ones Your everything. In joy and in tears, all You have done and all You still do is for the sake of Love.
Wrapped in light, wrapped in flesh, Who is like You Yeshua? The brightness of Your glory lights the holiest City causing the sun to bow and restrain from shining it’s rays.
Possessor of indescribable, rare beauties with inexpressible, infinite radiance, You are transcendent in glory. Dwelling exceedingly high, the highest heavens cannot contain You. Going immensely low, descending into the deepest depths only to rise to life again.
Beloved
“This is my Beloved…”
Song of Songs 5:16
“…זֶה דוֹדִי”
Lover of my soul, You kneel before me offering Your hand and say, “Will you have Me as Your own?” You are God and You are in love with Your creation. God of Covenant, I say “Yes.”
I am my Beloved’s and His desire is for me.
With eyes like flames of fire You capture my eyes. Your dove’s eyes gazing at me cause my eyes to never want to stray. Help me to not be distracted, God.
You enrapture my soul with vehement flames of desire that stir in my heart for You alone God. Who can dwell in Your everlasting burnings? Who can dwell in Your all consuming flame? In the shadow of Your blood, You grant me righteousness and bid me entrance.
Friend
“This is my Friend, daughters of Jerusalem.”
Song of Songs 5:16
“.וְזֶה רֵעִי, בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָם”
To our hidden place we steal away. In the cover of night, You tell me the secrets of Your heart as I whisper to You mine. You are my Best Friend and constant Companion.
Spirit of Yeshua dwelling deep inside, none other can enter this home within me. In my interior castle’s private Garden of Eden I sit with You in silence. Your all-consuming Presence is enough.
Eternal Intercessor, You share Your heavy burdens as I place my hand in Yours. You seek partnership with Your beloved. Together we fast. Together we pray, “Abba, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on the Earth as it is in Heaven.”
The Shulamite’s Song of God’s Beauty
My Revelation on the Island of Patmos: Part 3c of 5
In Song of Songs 5:10-16, the Bride of Messiah describes 16 attributes of her Beloved God that reveal why she is lovesick for Him while in the midst of crisis. A prayer format was used so you too can pray these attributes in a time of suffering. Scriptures were used to interpret the poetic language in the Song of Songs.
In this post I unfold four more of Yeshua’s alluring attributes: majestic countenance, merciful and just; deep compassions; and Yah establishes.
Majestic Countenance
“His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars” Song of Songs 5:15
“מַרְאֵהוּ, כַּלְּבָנוֹן--בָּחוּר, כָּאֲרָזִים”
Bowing low at the presence of Your towering majesty, You spread Your beautiful boughs around me and hide me in Your forest shade. Branch of the Lord lift the glorious light of Your countenance upon me again!
Friend of the broken and weak, You humbled Yourself and became a servant; therefore, You have been exalted to the highest place. Your heights penetrate the clouds, far above all others. You are the envy of all great nations. They live in Your shadow.
Tree of Life, no tree in the Garden of God is equal to You in beauty.
My Revelation on the Island of Patmos: Part 3c of 5
In Song of Songs 5:10-16, the Bride of Messiah describes 16 attributes of her Beloved God that reveal why she is lovesick for Him while in the midst of crisis. A prayer format was used so you too can pray these attributes in a time of suffering. Scriptures were used to interpret the poetic language in the Song of Songs.
In this post I unfold four more of Yeshua’s alluring attributes: majestic countenance, merciful and just; deep compassions; and Yah establishes.
Majestic Countenance
“His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars”
Song of Songs 5:15
“מַרְאֵהוּ, כַּלְּבָנוֹן--בָּחוּר, כָּאֲרָזִים”
Bowing low at the presence of Your towering majesty, You spread Your beautiful boughs around me and hide me in Your forest shade.
Branch of the Lord lift the glorious light of Your countenance upon me again!
Friend of the broken and weak, You humbled Yourself and became a servant; therefore, You have been exalted to the highest place.
Your heights penetrate the clouds, far above all others. You are the envy of all great nations. They live in Your shadow.
Tree of Life, no tree in the Garden of God is equal to You in beauty.
Merciful and Just
“His hands are rods of gold set with beryl (emerald)”
Song of Songs 5:14
“יָדָיו גְּלִילֵי זָהָב, מְמֻלָּאִים בַּתַּרְשִׁישׁ”
An emerald rainbow encircles Your Throne trumpeting Your eternal charity. The wise turn and are saved from the punishment of the grave.
As in the days of Pharaoh, You extend Your soothing, nail-pierced hand before Your golden scepter executes justice for the oppressed.
Omnipotent Sovereign, Holy King, You are dreadfully terrifying to Your enemies.
Yet, while I was a sinner, Yeshua, You died for me. Your mercy triumphs over Your judgement.
Deep Compassions
“His bowels are carved ivory inlaid with sapphires”
Song of Songs 5:14
“מֵעָיו עֶשֶׁת שֵׁן, מְעֻלֶּפֶת סַפִּירִים”
In the secret places deep within, living Word of God, Your emotions stir for me.
Though I am weak and broken Your tender compassions, rare as the ivory, well up from Your innermost being, and You command Your lovingkindness over me.
I am undone.
You yearn for the one whom You cut covenant with. With depths like the sapphire sea the yearnings of Your heart call out to me.
Deep is calling out to deep. I am calling out to You as Your roaring waterfalls of love come crashing over me.
Yah Establishes
“His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold”
Song of Songs 5:15
“שׁוֹקָיו עַמּוּדֵי שֵׁשׁ, מְיֻסָּדִים עַל-אַדְנֵי-פָז”
Rock of Ages You have the magnificence and strength of the pillars in the temple named Yachin (meaning “Yah establishes”), and Boaz (meaning “strength”).
You alone have the strength to establish what You planned before the foundations of the Earth. Every prophecy spoken will be fulfilled.
The wedding of the Lamb will come, and we will walk hand in hand in the Garden of Eden like You did with Adam.
Purified, refined seven times, Your golden feet walk out Your plans with purity. You Who are holy and blameless in love, all You have done, do, and will do is for the sake of love.
