Joy

Joy

I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh.

Song 1:9

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Song of Solomon 1:7-11 (King James Version)

7Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

8If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

9I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.

11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

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The passage we just read, beginning at verse eight, seems to be the words of the
groom addressing his bride. The entire Song of Solomon is a wedding song with
speaking parts by the groom, the bride and the attendants. It portrays a time of
yearning, one for the other, and overflows with luxurious compliments
as each testifies to his or her joy in the other.

The King James Version likens the bride to one of Pharaoh’s horses. This always
puzzled me because I found it difficult to consider that my wife would see such an
illustration as a compliment. Then a few years ago, I read the account in the Living
Bible. At this point in the text, the Living Bible called the bride a ‘lovely filly.’
Now that made more sense. I still smile when I think of the term and the way the
Living Bible communicated what probably was the intention of Solomon.

Love brings richness to life. It is a special gift. God wired us to enjoy relationships
and the society of friends. While some enjoy their solitude, the overwhelming
evidence around the world and through the centuries is that people like to be with
others and so they form communities for protection and for pleasure.

I have one other incident to relate from my frequent visits as a youth to the
“House of Happiness” in Toronto. Living at this ‘Home for Incurable Children’ was
a lovely young lady of about 16 years of age. I don’t know what her illness was, but
she was confined in a cot with steel sides. She stayed on the second floor. On the
first floor was a young man, also about 16 years of age. I remember one Spring
afternoon, during a visit, watching this young man make his way in the elevator to
the second floor. He went over to the crib that held his girlfriend. After a touch of
love and a few quiet words, he pushed her crib out on to the second floor porch
overlooking Bloor Street. The sun was beating on the porch as he sat in a chair
beside his friend and reached in so that they could hold hands. These two young
people would never experience ‘dating’ and both knew that marriage and the
future others anticipate would never be theirs. They had this day and each other for a
short time. It was enough. It had to be enough. They enjoyed their window of light.

Let’s make a big deal about today. Let’s drink it in deeply, enjoying the company of
our friends and taking pleasure in sharing it with Jesus. “This is the day the
Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Ps 118:24)

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Heavenly Father, thank You for this new day. I look forward to living it with You.
Help me to see the beauty and wonders that You have in store for me. Draw me
close to You so that I can sense Your presence and love more keenly.
Let’s go, I can hardly wait! Amen.

- Noel Churchman

Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.