24th March 2026

24th March 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 3v8-17) 


Message (Scott Woodburn)


True or false? Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me. I can't hear your answer but for me, names sometimes don't hurt but they often do. The Shulammite was kept behind lock and key in Solomon's hareem far from the intentions of any man bar Solomon himself but her heart was elsewhere. She had issued her first adjuration to the daughters of Jerusalem (2v7) and in the very next verse she heard the voice of her beloved (2v8).


After each adjuration a new figure enters the Song and this time it is the Shepherd. We have heard his voice previously but now we are given a glimpse of the man himself. How did the Shulammite describe her one true love? She couldn't have spoken more highly saying "The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes, leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag." (2v8-9).


Wow! Gentlemen, imagine being described in such terms! Imagine being seen as a gazelle or young stag in the eyes of your lover. In reality, our words probably have lost that initial sense of spark which was evident in the very early days of courtship. Today if we say anything about our other half it is probably quite negative.


Let me ask, did you know that John the Baptist had his real doubts about Jesus? John found himself languishing in prison and sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11v3). That's a pretty sore statement. Put yourself in the Lord's shoes - you are in the middle of your work and one of your greatest friends sends word to say "I'm not convinced you are what you say you are. I wonder if I was right about you." The Lord's response was full of grace. He sent word back to John that he had nothing to fear and then he turned to the crowd to tell them that there was no one greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11v11).


Brothers and sisters, learn again to speak positively of one another. Try and see the beauty once again in your spouse. Tell your wife that you still adore her, tell your husband that you deeply appreciate him, tell your children that they cause your heart to sing and tell your neighbour that you value their kindness. The Shulammite adored the Shepherd and her words made it abundantly clear. May our own gracious words be like honeycomb which brings sweetness to the soul and health to the body (Proverbs 16v24). 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q23 What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer? Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
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