December 13, 2024 7:00 pm
If you were to stroll along the old brick wall stretching between the Protestant and Catholic graveyards in Roermond, Netherlands, you’d discover a curious site. On each side, flush against the wall stands two identical towering headstones: one for a Protestant husband and one for his Catholic wife. Cultural rules required they be buried in separate cemeteries. They wouldn’t accept their fate, however. Their unusual headstones are high enough to reach above the fenced obstruction so that at the top there’s maybe only a foot or two of air separating them. Atop each, a sculptured arm reaches out to the other, each clasping the other’s hand. The couple refused to be separated, not even in death.
The Song of Songs explains love’s power. “Love is as strong as death,” Solomon says, “its jealousy unyielding as the grave” (8:6). True love is powerful, ferocious. “It burns like a blazing fire” (v. 6). True love never surrenders, won’t be silenced, and can’t be destroyed. “Many waters cannot quench love,” writes Solomon. “Rivers cannot sweep it away” (v. 7).
“God is love” (1 John 4:16). Our strongest love is only a fractured reflection of His ferocious love for us. He’s the ultimate source of any love that’s genuine, any love that holds fast.
COVERED TOPICS / TAGS (Click to Search)
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Building Relationships
Dr. Gary Chapman
What's Right What's Left
Pastor Ernie Sanders
What's Right What's Left
Pastor Ernie Sanders
Renewing Your Mind
R.C. Sproul
Brian Kilmeade Show
Brian Kilmeade
Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.
I'm Wynn Collier, and I wrote today's piece, Love as Strong as Death. If you were to stroll along the old brick wall stretching between the Protestant and Catholic graveyards in Roermondt, Netherlands, you discover a curious sight. On each side, flush against the wall stands two identical towering headstones, one for a Protestant husband and one for his Catholic wife. Cultural rules during the 19th century required they be buried in separate cemeteries.
They wouldn't accept their fate, however. Their unusual headstones are high enough to reach above the fenced obstruction, so that at the top there's only about a foot or two of air separating them. Atop each, a sculptured arm reaches out to the other, each clasping the other's hand. The couple refuse to be separated, even in death. The Song of Songs explains love's power. Love is as strong as death, Solomon says, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. True love is powerful, ferocious.
It burns like a blazing fire. True love never surrenders, won't be silenced, and can't be destroyed. Many waters cannot quench love, writes Solomon.
Rivers cannot sweep it away. God is love. Our strongest love is only a fractured reflection of His ferocious love for us. He's the ultimate source of any love that's genuine, any love that holds fast.
Our scripture reading for today is from Song of Songs chapter 8 verses 6 to 7. Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death. Its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love.
Rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one's house for love, it would be utterly scorned. Let's pray. Dear God, we need your love that's stronger than death, stronger than evil, stronger than my failings. Thank you for your powerful love. In Jesus' name. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Whisper: medium.en / 2024-12-13 20:37:56 / 2024-12-13 20:39:15 / 1
