The Song of Solomon explains the journey of how a believer - after salvation - is brought from a position of intense need to a place of complete satisfaction. The entire journey starts with the prayer from verse 1:2, “Kiss me with the kisses of your word.” It is a prayer of longing for more of God. A desire for more than nominal Christianity. This prayer is the theme of the entire Song.
The Divine kiss is a metaphor for intimacy with God. The “kisses of His mouth” from SOS 1:2 speaks of the release of the Word of God in a way that tenderizes our hearts in the love of God. (We are not to think of actually kissing Jesus - this is outside the boundaries of the Bible.)
Watchman Nee says,
“This [prayer of longing for more of God through the kiss of His Word] marks the starting point of real spiritual progression”
How many times have you heard the phrase ‘Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship?’ That’s true. Now - after entering eternal life by the cross - the Bride longs for a genuine and personal relationship with God. An ordinary relationship will not do any longer. It will not satisfy the cravings in her heart for rich, deep encounter. She wants to go much further than the ordinary believer.
Practical application to seek the kisses of God’s Word is a must. Reading the Bible and using it as language in our prayer life is the primary way we can do this. Ask the Lord to kiss us with the kisses of His Word. Pray “Lord, let your Word touch my heart in a fresh way.” Even when we are not feeling a desire for God, this prayer can lead us into His heart and begin to awaken our spirtual life.
[This article is 1st in a series on life in God through the Song of Solomon. You can read the introduction here, or a chronological list of all the posts in the series here.]
Ruth said:
where is your trackbacking thing?
Posted on March 12, 2007 at 2:44 pm
{Shawn} said:
@ Ruth: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Posted on March 12, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Abby said:
Good stuff Shawn! Thanks for outlining this clearly. Keep it coming.
Posted on March 12, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Ruth said:
Shawn, i don’t know how to explain…but let’s say i wanna write a post on my blog and link to yours, then that’s no problem. i just use the link to your blog. but…let’s say i want (a part) of my post to pop up here in the comment section, i need your trackback url (or pingback url) for that… know what i mean?
sorry, don’t know how to make it clear…
just like we had pingbacks everytime you linked to our ‘intimacy with God’ posts..remember?
Posted on March 13, 2007 at 10:47 am
Ruth said:
I found an example…you have a pingback (from yourself) in your ‘intro to life in God from Song of Solomon’ post. you didn’t need your trackback/pingback url to do that, but that’s what i mean with trackback..hope that’s clearer!
Posted on March 13, 2007 at 11:10 am
Adam Parker said:
“Reading the Bible and using it as language in our prayer life is the primary way we can do this.”
Well said!
Who originally thought of this concept? Or where was the 1st known person to put this into practice… that you know of?
Posted on March 13, 2007 at 11:22 pm
{Shawn} said:
@ Adam: That’s funny you ask. I was talking to my wife about that last night. I was saying how when I was younger I noticed that everyone usually prayed in the ‘language of the Bible translation they read.’
When I moved to IHOP I realized that the Bible should be part of our prayer life. I think that sentance is a quote from Mike Bickle’s notes.
Posted on March 14, 2007 at 3:41 am
Ruth said:
Shawn, do you already know what i’m (or was) talking about?
Posted on March 14, 2007 at 7:01 am
{Shawn} said:
@ Ruth: I’m not ignoring you I promise. Things have been nuts with travel right now. Yes i do know what you’re talking about. I have never used the trackbacks so right now I can’t tell you exactly how to do it. All other trackbacks come simply by people posting a link in their blog to a specific post. If there is more to it then that I haven’t ever played with it to know.
Posted on March 14, 2007 at 4:57 pm