Embracing God's Love Amidst His Hiddenness
Summary
In our ongoing series about loving and being loved by Jesus Christ, we explore the profound image of Christ as the Heavenly Bridegroom, emphasizing His unwavering commitment to His people. We previously discussed the strength of Christ's love, which surpasses all human deficiencies and disloyalties, and is stronger than death itself. This love is encapsulated in the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. However, many believers grapple with the feeling of God's absence, especially during times of need. Today, we delve into this experience through the lens of the Song of Solomon, particularly chapter five, which offers a poetic narrative of love, intimacy, and the challenges therein.
The Song of Solomon is not just a love story between a man and a woman, but a depiction of the love of a king for his bride, symbolizing Christ's love for the church. The narrative in chapter five, where the bride dreams of her beloved knocking at her door, serves as a metaphor for our relationship with Christ. The bride's initial reluctance to open the door, despite the king's presence, reflects our own selfishness and unresponsiveness to God's call. This dream reveals two key insights about ourselves: our inherent selfishness and vulnerability without God's presence.
Moreover, the dream illustrates that God sometimes hides Himself from those He loves, a concept echoed in Isaiah 45:15. This perceived distance is not uncommon in Christian experience and serves to ignite a deeper spiritual passion within us. The absence of God becomes a catalyst for longing and seeking Him more earnestly. The bride's dream ultimately leads to a renewed appreciation and love for the king, illustrating how God can use such experiences to deepen our relationship with Him.
As we gather around the Lord's table, we are reminded of the ultimate act of love when God hid His face from His Son on the cross, achieving the redemption of the world. This act underscores the depth of God's love and the transformative power of His seeming absence.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Strength of Christ's Love: Christ's love for us is unwavering and surpasses all human limitations. It is a love that promises never to leave or forsake us, even when we feel distant from Him. This assurance is a cornerstone of our faith, reminding us that His love is stronger than any challenge we face. [01:03]
2. Selfishness and Vulnerability: The dream in Song of Solomon highlights our selfish tendencies and the vulnerability we face without God's presence. It challenges us to examine our responsiveness to God's call and to recognize our need for His constant presence in our lives. [19:21]
3. God's Hiddenness: Sometimes, God hides Himself from those He loves, as seen in Isaiah 45:15. This experience, though distressing, is a common part of the Christian journey and serves to deepen our longing and pursuit of Him. [23:13]
4. Igniting Spiritual Passion: The times when God seems distant can ignite a new spiritual passion within us. These experiences challenge us to seek Him more earnestly and to renew our love and commitment to Him. [31:14]
5. The Cross and God's Love: The ultimate expression of God's love is seen in the cross, where He hid His face from His Son to achieve our redemption. This act reminds us of the depth of His love and the transformative power of His seeming absence. [35:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:16] - Christ as the Heavenly Bridegroom
- [01:03] - The Strength of Christ's Love
- [01:21] - The Question of God's Absence
- [02:13] - Introduction to Song of Solomon
- [03:27] - The Love Story of a King
- [04:42] - The Poetic Form of Song of Solomon
- [05:48] - The Bride's Dream
- [07:44] - The King's Knock
- [09:29] - The Bride's Reluctance
- [11:03] - The Dream's Shock Moment
- [13:03] - The Nightmare of Vulnerability
- [15:09] - Lessons from the Dream
- [19:21] - Selfishness and Vulnerability
- [23:13] - God's Hiddenness
- [31:14] - Igniting Spiritual Passion
- [35:24] - The Cross and God's Love
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Song of Solomon 5:2-8
2. Isaiah 45:15
3. Romans 8:38-39
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Observation Questions:
1. In Song of Solomon 5:2-8, what is the bride's initial reaction to the king's knock, and how does this reflect our own responses to God's call? [09:44]
2. How does the imagery of the bride's dream in Song of Solomon illustrate the concept of God's hiddenness as mentioned in Isaiah 45:15? [23:29]
3. According to Romans 8:38-39, what assurance do we have about the love of God in Christ Jesus, and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about the strength of Christ's love? [01:03]
4. What are the two key insights about ourselves that the bride's dream reveals, as discussed in the sermon? [15:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the bride's reluctance to open the door in Song of Solomon 5:2-8 serve as a metaphor for our own spiritual complacency and selfishness? [09:44]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's hiddenness can ignite a deeper spiritual passion within us? How does this align with the experiences of biblical figures like Job and David? [23:49]
3. How does the sermon interpret the bride's vulnerability in her dream as a reflection of our own vulnerability without God's presence? [19:21]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the transformative power of God's seeming absence, especially in relation to the cross and the ultimate expression of God's love? [35:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did that experience affect your spiritual life, and what steps did you take to seek Him more earnestly? [29:20]
2. The sermon highlights our inherent selfishness. Can you identify areas in your life where you might be unresponsive to God's call? What practical steps can you take to change this? [17:12]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper longing for God's presence in your daily life, especially during times when He seems distant? [31:14]
4. The sermon discusses the vulnerability we face without God's presence. How can you ensure that you are not leaving yourself open to spiritual dangers by neglecting your relationship with God? [20:25]
5. Consider the ultimate expression of God's love on the cross. How does this understanding of sacrificial love challenge you to love others more deeply and selflessly? [35:24]
6. How can you use the times when God seems far away to ignite a new spiritual passion in your life? What specific actions can you take to renew your love and commitment to Him? [33:20]
7. Reflect on the assurance found in Romans 8:38-39. How can this promise of unwavering love encourage you in your current challenges or struggles? [01:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ's Love Surpasses All Human Limitations
Christ's love is a powerful force that transcends human weaknesses and failures. It is a love that remains steadfast and unyielding, even when we feel distant from Him. This assurance is a cornerstone of our faith, reminding us that His love is stronger than any challenge we face. The promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus is a profound truth that offers comfort and hope. In moments of doubt or struggle, we can hold onto this promise, knowing that His love is unwavering and eternal. [01:03]
"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of Christ's unwavering love today? How can you let this assurance guide your actions and decisions?
Day 2: Recognizing Our Selfishness and Vulnerability
The dream in the Song of Solomon highlights our inherent selfishness and the vulnerability we face without God's presence. It challenges us to examine our responsiveness to God's call and to recognize our need for His constant presence in our lives. The bride's reluctance to open the door to her beloved serves as a metaphor for our own hesitations and self-centeredness. By acknowledging these tendencies, we can begin to cultivate a more open and responsive heart towards God, seeking His presence and guidance in all aspects of our lives. [19:21]
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can become more responsive to God's call in your daily life? How can you address areas of selfishness that may be hindering your relationship with Him?
Day 3: Embracing God's Hiddenness
Sometimes, God hides Himself from those He loves, as seen in Isaiah 45:15. This experience, though distressing, is a common part of the Christian journey and serves to deepen our longing and pursuit of Him. The perceived absence of God can be a catalyst for spiritual growth, prompting us to seek Him more earnestly and to develop a deeper relationship with Him. By embracing these moments of hiddenness, we can learn to trust in His presence and faithfulness, even when we cannot feel or see Him. [23:13]
"Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior." (Isaiah 45:15, ESV)
Reflection: How have you experienced God's hiddenness in your life? What steps can you take to seek Him more earnestly during these times?
Day 4: Igniting Spiritual Passion Through Distance
The times when God seems distant can ignite a new spiritual passion within us. These experiences challenge us to seek Him more earnestly and to renew our love and commitment to Him. The longing that arises from perceived distance can lead to a deeper appreciation and love for God, as we come to understand the depth of His love and the importance of His presence in our lives. By embracing these moments, we can cultivate a more passionate and committed relationship with Him. [31:14]
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalm 42:1-2, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions can you take to reignite your spiritual passion and deepen your relationship with God during times of perceived distance?
Day 5: The Cross as the Ultimate Expression of God's Love
The ultimate expression of God's love is seen in the cross, where He hid His face from His Son to achieve our redemption. This act reminds us of the depth of His love and the transformative power of His seeming absence. The cross is a powerful symbol of God's sacrificial love and His commitment to our salvation. By reflecting on this profound truth, we can gain a deeper understanding of His love and be inspired to live lives that reflect His grace and compassion. [35:24]
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5, ESV)
Reflection: How does the sacrifice of the cross impact your understanding of God's love? In what ways can you live out this love in your interactions with others today?
Quotes
The love of Jesus Christ for his people is stronger than any of these and indeed stronger than all of them put together indeed the love of Jesus Christ is stronger than death and uh God has said to us I will never leave you I will never forsake you. [00:57:32]
Why is it then that as a child of God I have known what it is to feel that I cannot find him at precisely the time when I feel that I need him most? Why is it that God sometimes seems so very far away when he has promised his presence to me so very very clearly? [01:14:04]
The Song of Solomon is more than a story of the love for a man for a woman it is particularly about the love of a king for his bride it is the Song of Solomon and uh Solomon of course was uh the king of Israel and it is the story if you read the book as a whole it is the story of the king coming uh to claim and to win his bride. [03:27:64]
The dream of course in the dream she is dreaming about the the love of her life the king and she says I slept but my heart was awake now in the dream she hears a sound verse two my beloved is knocking in the dream the king comes to her private quarters and the King's hair is dripping because it has been raining intensely outside pouring down. [07:27:92]
I have bathed my feet how could I soil them well you know it may be naive I know I'm only a guy but my answer to that would be look dear if you had to wash your feet a second time because you got them a little Dusty going over the floor to open the door because the king's out there and he's soaking wet that would not actually be the end of the world. [10:26:60]
The Watchmen found me as they went about the city so here's the folks who are supposed to be in charge of security in the city and uh they the uh find her out there in the night looking for for the king and what what did they do they beat me and they bruised me and they took away my veil those Watchmen off the walls. [13:17:07]
Two things that we learn about ourselves can be summed up in two simple words here's the first self selfish we are very very selfish surely this is the first thing that the bride herself would have taken from her own dream put yourself in her shoes what would you be thinking the next morning would I really have left the king outside standing in the rain. [15:19:36]
Without the Lord we would be at the mercy of dark powers that are far stronger than we are far stronger than we are that's why the old hymn puts it well I need thee every hour and if we really believed that we would be more responsive to Christ than we are and we would walk more closely with Christ than we do. [20:47:04]
Sometimes God hides himself from the people he loves now this is very important to understand because it will be part of your experience as a Christian that sometimes God hides himself from the people he loves and I take that particularly from Isaiah chapter 45 and verse 15 where it's stated most succinctly Isaiah the prophet says truly you are a God who hides yourself. [23:13:97]
The proof that a person loves God is that you cannot be happy unless you are near him and the person without the Holy Spirit really knows nothing about this the person without the spirit may say that he or she believes in God might occasionally throw up a prayer and ask God for help but it matters very little to them if they're away from worship. [27:40:88]
God can use the times when he seems far away to ignite a new spiritual passion in your life God can use the times when he seems far away to ignite a new spiritual passion in your life think about the outcome of this dream think about the bride try and put yourself in this last moment once more into her shoes as it were. [31:04:36]
The good news is that the story has a happy ending in chapter six the two of them are together and she says I am my beloved and my beloved is mine and God willing we'll look at that in the joy of Christ's love next week but today we have this great privilege of coming around the Lord's table. [34:45:56]
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