“What is your beloved more than another beloved,O most beautiful among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved,that you thus solemnly charge us?”

Christ is the most wonderful thing ever seen. He’s the sweetest among ten thousand to every awakened believer. He brings God to us, forgiveness, and peace. He gives us power to live godly. He delivers us from the snare of the fowler - guilt, bondage, and shame. Psalms 124:7, “We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped!” He enables us to walk with God and bear fruit. He brings reviving.

The bride is asked, “What is he?” What is so special about him? “What is your beloved more than another beloved?” This is our chance to answer, as we learn from his absence. Song of Songs 5:6, "I opened to my beloved, but my beloved had turned and gone. My soul failed me when he spoke. I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he gave no answer." She ignored him, but now she’s lovesick. Song of Songs 5:8, "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love." She took him for granted, but now he’s precious.

Let us learn the preciousness of Christ, hold him, and seek him. Let’s not ignore his value, until it is too late.

First, what is Christ "more than another beloved?" No one else can soothe our conscience and heal us. No one else brings us the power of God's Spirit.

We try other things for happiness, showing our COLDNESS TO CHRIST. He beckons, but we don't need him. Song of Songs 5:2-3, "I slept, but my heart was awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking. Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is wet with dew, my locks with the drops of the night. I had put off my garment; how could I put it on? I had bathed my feet; how could I soil them?" We say, "I'll find joy in sin. God, I'll put you on the back burner, because I can handle life. I can serve you in my own strength. My family is beautiful. Let me chase wealth. Surely, I've learned the doctrine. You don't need me to save the elect. Let me eat, drink, and be merry. I'll call you when I'm ready. For now, I don't need you. You'll see, I'll make it. You'll be there in the morning."

All these things and many more are the hard thoughts of the believer. We fell in love with joy, and forgot who gives it. We love ourselves, and take Christ for granted. We reason he loves us too much to stay away, so we'll slam the door and ignore him. "We have no need, so why bother? He forgives, so let's sin. He can't take away his love, so let's neglect it." These carnal reasonings must be broken. Therefore, he is silent, and guilt mounts like Everest.

The watchmen find us, as we approach his word. Song of Songs 5:7," The watchmen found me as they went about in the city; they beat me, they bruised me, they took away my veil, those watchmen of the walls." We recognize that we are wrong! Then pain sets in that we can't conquer. Wine will not cheer us. Sex doesn't hit the spot. There's fearfulness and powerlessness. We're in Babylon - chastened by God! No one else can help us! Nothing speaks to our heart!

What is our beloved? He's everything. Only he subdues the flesh and gives us peace. Only he satisfies within!

Secondly, "what is your beloved?" Ah, he's forgiving and kind. He chastens in love. Hebrews 12:6, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." He'll never depart from us utterly. Isaiah 54:7, "For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you." His blood has put away ALL SINS, even the cold-hearted sins of the saints. He restores fellowship and usefulness. He brings good out of evil, and gives us repentance. Jeremiah 24:6, "For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up." He is the joy restorer who breaks the yoke of bondage. Bless God. He won't stay angry forever. He'll put fear in our hearts, and cause us to follow him. We'll do better after we are chastened.

Hold onto him in the dark, dear saints. Micah 7:8, "Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me." Believe every spark of mercy. Believe, when the Devil says it's over, and you've gone too far. It's not for us to determine our fellowship, but the Father welcomes our repentance. He'll run to us, because he delights in mercy!

Oh, don't be afraid to proclaim his greatness, though joy is absent. Talk by faith, sincerely!

Thirdly, what makes us say we're love sick? "You thus solemnly charge us?" Why do we mourn openly? Why seek him publicly? Why not pretend we're OK?

Some of the most powerful preaching is only an inch above water [Matt 14:30]. It talks of chastisement and promises. It holds on in the night. Isaiah 50:10, "Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God." It preaches man's horrible rebellion and weakness. It talks about hope, reaches sinners, and stirs compassion in the saints, who feel for us, hope for us, and pray for us. They bless God for our sincerity.

She didn't pretend. She said, "Pray for me. Have you seen him?"

If we're authentic, then it's well. Charge them solemnly. Ask for help to find God! Too many are embarrassed. Real ones get Christ. May God help us to value him, and seek him when disciplined.