I am Loved by God

Flowers and women seem to go together!  Flowers for birthdays, anniversaries, "just because", Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, or just to have in vases around the house or to enjoy in a garden~ flowers speak to women.  Certain flowers have meanings behind them. Did you know these meanings? Hydrangea, my favorite flower means perseverance; Iris means inspiration; Gladiolas mean strength of character; Orchid means delicate beauty....I could go on and on! Even roses, depending on the color speaks meaning:  red rose=love, pink rose=appreciation or thank you, yellow rose=friendship, joy or gladness and white rose=reverence, purity or innocence. Next time you pick up flowers for someone, check out what the meaning is behind the bloom. You don't want to say the wrong thing. :)

As we look at chapter two of this eight chapter love song, the bride is being transformed into her identity.  The chapter opens with her words of confession.  Even if she doesn't feel it, she is declaring it.  "I am the rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys," (verse 1) and her groom declares it over her, "Like a lily among thorns, is my darling among the maidens," (verse 2).  

She is a rose that is beautiful to the Lord who cherishes her.  She recognizes that she is a rose to the Lord  and in return she is declaring that as a rose, she stands as one in bloom, full of love for God.  A rose is chosen for beauty and fragrance.  The bride is declaring "MY LOVE IS A FRAGRANCE TO GOD".  This is your confession too.  As you embrace this reality, it will transform your thinking, releasing purpose and identity. WE are the only
prize Jesus longs for.  The reason we are created is to fully love Jesus.  This is our highest purpose~ to love God and be loved by Him.  This love is costly.  It is a sacrifice to love Jesus whole-heartedly. This is what He is after~ a heart fully alive to Him.  He paid the highest price in love toward us at the cross.  He gave it all for us.  He is looking at your heart and declaring that your love for Jesus, even in weak love is beautiful to Him. 

As a lily of the valley the bride is declaring that she is pure and fragrant, even in the low and dark places of the valley. In the midst of defilement all around, she has chosen to live in purity before Jesus.  She is declaring, "LET MY OBEDIENCE RISE AS A FRAGRANCE BEFORE YOU JESUS".  We cannot separate love and obedience. Jesus sees the desire in our heart to live in purity. His inheritance is those people who walk out their purity.  Our primary identity is not what we do outwardly but what we pursue with our hearts. Seeing that we are His rose and lily breaks a sense of purposelessness, failure, and insecurity.

We will never be more obedient than how much our heart loves Jesus.  Love = Obedience.  Your obedience begins when you set your heart to obey, not when you actually get the breakthrough.  God wants you to be confident in HIS LOVE!  

Make these confessions today. Your words are sweet to Him. Your words of confession & your words of love & your words of commitment to Him!   I AM THE ROSE OF SHARON.  I AM THE LILY OF THE VALLEY.