The Song of Solomon is the best of songs called the Song of Songs. It is a highly metaphorical poetic writing in the Bible about a Shulamite beauty and her shepherd friend. They are engaged and very much in love with each other, meeting in a garden. Their wedding and intimacy are written in black and white for all to read. Israelites had a legacy of poetic romantic literature and this is just a tiny piece of it in the Bible and is associated with Shlomo, popularly known as Solomon in English.
LOVE MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
Every relationship that has love as its reason to exist becomes beautiful. Love is patient, kind, merciful, forgiving, strong, powerful, hopeful, enduring, and covers a multitude of sins. A loving friendship builds and survives ups and downs, long and short. Finding a faithful and loving friend is a prize, one we should hold on to for a lifetime. Ignore the looks and books, and peer into their soul. They are growing with you. Pray for them and love them back. Every friend has different talents that you tap into. Often our siblings irritate us but friends are people we choose. Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Jonathan and David’s friendship makes the heart glow as we reflect that their love lasted beyond the death of Jonathan, despite Saul persecuting David. After Saul and his sons died at the battle and David became the King of Israel, he enquired about Jonathan's sons and found Mephiboshet, who was lame from a childhood injury. David restored King Saul's property to him and had him eat at the King's table. David treated him as royalty like his own son. David kept his promise to Jonathan, even though Jonathan was dead and gone.
Yeshua called His disciples his friends. He elevated them to this precious place because He loved them dearly and was leaving the earth soon. John was the youngest and closest to him. At the last supper, he sat close to Yeshua and leaned on him as a dear friend would. (I Corinthians 13: 4-7; John 15:14-16; 1 Kings 19,23; 1 Samuel 18-20)
FRIENDS FOREVER.
When I look back on my life, I am grateful for the friends at school and college and thereafter. They made life fun, whether to play, sing, study, fight, comfort, help, or pray with. Decades later we are still friends and we honor one another. We cannot let go of each other because we have done so much together and can count on their love. In romantic and marriage relationships, a healthy friendship strengthens the relationship.
Dana and David were engaged to be married when Dana had a terrible accident that left her paralyzed from her waist down. It meant she would not walk and would need lifelong help. Dana realized that David would have to take the responsibility of caring for her. With a heavy heart, she decided she would not marry him and ruin his life. But David refused to break the relationship. They had been dating for six years now and he loved her dearly enough to stick to her through thick and thin. However, within a year of treatment and physiotherapy, she was able to walk with support and miraculously continues to improve. They have picked a wedding date and are working towards it.
The Difficult Friend.
Years ago, the Holy Spirit told me to be friends with a lady I did not like. After many objections, only to be obedient I would visit her regularly. She was lonely and needed companionship and so did I. We did not agree on much but because we were friends, I could advise her on difficult issues and she could receive it from me. We have remained friends and have grown to understand and love each other and respect our differences. I think of her as a gift from ADONAI. She has been very helpful to me. He had good reason to place her in my life and I am grateful to have her.
Prayer
May you find loving friends who bring you joy and encourage you. May Yeshua the Messiah be your best friend, the One who has loved you from eternity to eternity. May the sweet fellowship/ friendship of the Holy Spirit be with you always.
Shalom, MJK.
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