4th April 2026

4th April 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Song of Solomon 5v2-9) 


Message (Scott Woodburn) 


The Shulammite had listened to Solomon's smooth words but later that night she slept in her own bed and not that of the King. For the second time in the Song the Shulammite fell into a dream. This time she imagined her beloved knocking at her door (5v2). She was unable to answer straight away as she was naked (5v3), bathed (5v3b) and in bed. But as she listened to her beloved trying to open the latch of her door, she was thrilled (5v4) and so rose to meet the man of her dreams (5v5). Yet it was too late, he had already gone (5v6) and this time as she searched for him in the city, the watchmen offered her no help but instead beat and bruised her (5v7). As she woke she offered a new adjuration to her fellow hareem members saying "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love." (5v8).


What are we to make of the Shulammite's second dream? Her head was filled with the events of the previous day. Solomon had arrived in full splendour and had told her in no uncertain terms that she was the woman he wanted. She had resisted but in her dream her true love was once again beyond her grasp and as she tried to find him she was physically harmed by the watchmen - even her dreams seemed to be telling her that she would never be with her beloved again.


Even so, she begged those around her to find her beloved. But the fellow members of the hareem had a question saying "What is your beloved more than another beloved, O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you thus adjure us?" (5v9). Do you see the point they were making? "Why is your true love so special? What's so good about him? What makes him better than Solomon?"


The Shulammite didn't have to think too long and we'll consider her response in the very next devotion but I am reminded today of Peter's wisdom to suffering Christians. He urged them in the face of harm to gently and respectfully give a reason for the hope that was in them (1 Peter 3v15). What do we say when the world attempts to squeeze us into compliance? What reason do we give for not following modern morality? Why do we seek covenantal faithfulness instead of compromised faithlessness.


Here is the reason for our hope. We follow a crucified but risen Saviour who one day will return to judge the living and the dead. He is Jesus Christ and King of kings, Lord of lord. We follow Jesus even though that often puts us at odds with the world. Our Beloved Christ is better than any of the world's options. As Samuel Rutherford once said "We are with Christ in this land and the wind is now upon His face, therefore we cannot expect the sheltered or sunny side of the hill." Follow on brothers and sisters, Christ's value is beyond your wildest dreams.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q33 What is justification? Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein he pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
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