He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.
5 Sustain me with cakes of raisins,
Refresh me with apples,
For I am lovesick.
6 His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand embraces me.—Song of Solomon 2:4-6
Whenever I read the Song of Solomon, these words in Chapter 2, always give me pause because they are so beautiful. He is my bridegroom and He brings me to His banqueting house...His house of wine...His house of joy! Here, He spreads His banner of love over me indicating to all that I belong to Him! Perfect, self-sacrificing, redeeming love flies over me to shelter, comfort and protect me. My Beloved is always with me...His left hand is under my head, His right hand embraces me and His grace sustains me. My Beloved is mine and I am His. My desire for Him increases with each moment I spend in His loving, protective Presence.
Oh, increase my desire for You, Father! Increase my faith, also! May I live always in Your Presence where my joy is full! Give me spiritual eyes to see beyond the temporal and into the realm of the eternal. Your word to me, Father, is truth. Immerse me and establish me in the truth of Your love. Grant me, according to the riches of Your glory, to be strengthened by it in my inner man, rooted and grounded in Your love. May I be able to comprehend with all Your saints what is the width and length and depth and height of this banner over me. May I know the love of Your Son, Jesus which passes knowledge. Fill me with all Your fullness.
There are many who say,
"Who will show us any good?"
LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.—Psalm 4:6-8
May He grant you your heart's desire
And fulfill all your plans.
We will sing joyously over your victory,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners.
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.—Psalm 20:4-5
5 For your Maker is your husband,
The LORD of hosts is His name;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel;
He is called the God of the whole earth.—Isaiah 54:5
8 Yes, in the way of Your judgments,
O LORD, we have waited for You;
The desire of our soul is for Your name
And for the remembrance of You.
9 With my soul I have desired You in the night,
Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early;
For when Your judgments are in the earth,
The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.—Isaiah 26:8-9
O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
7 Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
8 My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me.—Psalm 63:1-8
The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."—Zephaniah 3:17
