Go forth, O daughters of Zion, and gaze on King Solomon with the crown with which his mother has crowned him on the day of his wedding, and on the day of his gladness of heart.
—Song of Songs 3:11  

Reflection

We might think that anything coming up from the wilderness would look dusty, beaten, and ragged. But the picture in Song of Songs is entirely different. The royal wedding couch is described in terms of the finest materials known to man at that time.

The timber of Lebanon was the most costly and fragrant timber one could buy. Its posts were made of silver, speaking of redemption. Its back was made of gold, speaking of the character of God. Its seat was made of purple fabric, speaking of royalty and authority. Its interior was paved with love.

As with any description of heavenly things, words never do it justice. This language builds anticipation in our hearts, prophetically pointing us toward the marriage supper of the Lamb. It symbolizes the excellency of journeying with Messiah Jesus through life as we travel through many wildernesses.

Our journey with Yeshua is made of the most preeminent, supernatural, spiritual substances. We pass through wildernesses of suffering, learning, disobedience, transformation, and correction, but we are traveling with the King. He journeys with us through every wilderness, and He is completely victorious.

The Holy Spirit instructs us: Go forth and gaze upon the King. Look at King Jesus and gaze upon His glory. Behold your Bridegroom, God. He is coming for you. Get a glimpse of His love.

We, His followers, are privileged to crown Him with the gift of our love. Nobody can crown Him with that gift but you. Others can honor Him, worship Him, and give Him their affection, but only you can give Him the particular love of your own heart.

Beloved, crown King Jesus with your affections. Honor and extol Him. Ask Him to remove every hindrance to your love. Whatever is standing in the way of Him having His full way in your life, ask Him to remove it.

We cannot produce fierce spiritual determination by our own efforts. We need the Holy Spirit to set us ablaze with love and produce within us a holy violence to seize Yeshua, resolving with all our heart, strength, soul, and mind not to let Him go.

Thank Him for journeying with you through the wildernesses. Thank Him for the excellence of all His works. Thank Him for guarding you from danger with His holy angels and loyal love. Then gaze upon His glory and crown Him with the crown of your affections.

Application

• Set aside time to gaze upon King Jesus, honoring Him with the particular love and affection of your own heart.
• Ask Him to remove every hindrance that keeps Him from having His full way in your life.

Prayer

King Jesus, I love You today, and I crown You with the crown of my affections. Remove every hindrance to my love and everything standing in the way of You having Your full way in my life. Set me ablaze with love for You, and produce within me a holy determination to seize You and not let You go. Thank You for journeying with me through every wilderness and for being completely victorious. Thank You for the excellence of all Your works, Your loyal love, and the protection of Your holy angels. Amen.