“How beautiful is your love, my sister, my BRIDE! How much better is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!”

The Lord Jesus loves us and delights to be with us. Having put away our sins, faith catches his eye. He’s transformed us into new creations, and we are beautiful.

Receive this, downtrodden sinner. Receive this, struggling child of God. He loves us, and he delights to hear our voice. He wants to be with us. He delights in communion.

First, he talks about our love. “How beautiful is your love.” He delights to be submitted to and loved. He delights that we look upon him.

Psalms 131:1-2, "O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me."

David said his soul was as a weaned child. He’s no longer haughty and proud, but he’s submissive. He’s been meeked to realize the Lord loves him, and he always does right.

Like Paul, receive chastisement and the pain that comes from pride. Receive the painful humblings as God brings you down, and look upon him in peace. He will not deny the spirit that submits to his goodness.

Secondly, he calls us “my bride.” As the most beautiful and choicest of women, he looks upon us and says, “I am yours, and you are mine.”

Isaiah 54:6-8
For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer."

We are together forever. He hasn't merely complimented us, and kept it moving. He's married to us in covenant love, and he'll fulfill his obligations. He's committed to us, and we have the privileges of our relationship.

Let us remember this love when we are confused. Let us remember when we are chastened, angry, and fearful. Remember, when you think about serving him: It is not about works; it is about grace. It isn’t about earning his presence; it is realizing your privilege.

Thirdly, your love is “better than wine.” It is the best thing in the world to him. He is intoxicated by the love of his people, even us, as individuals. There is nothing on earth he’d rather do than meet with us, and we’ll have as much communion as we can handle.

Let us seek this love, resting in its reality, while we look to him to kiss us. Let us believe that we are loved, as we live our lives. This love will intoxicate us, free us, and produce the fruit of the Spirit.