FRAGRANT LOVE: MYRRH & HONEY

 By: Bro. Marc Jean Dale C. Cabral

THE BRIDEGROOM'S LOVE (AS MYRRH)

It symbolizes Jesus Christ's sweet love and affection. His love for the bride is described in passionate and tender terms, mirroring the boundless love of Christ for His Church. In the Song of Solomon 1:3, says "Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee" here, Jesus portrays an ointment, the myrrh, in our modern world it is a skincare with a potential benefits such as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, may help soothe acne, wounds, and skin irritations, can be used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. So, if we are faithful to Jesus (the bridegroom) we will experience benefits of His love which has a spiritual context of purification, protection, and healing, until the day of His coming. 

THE BRIDE (AS HONEY)

The bride as the church of Christ or the believers of Christ. In the book of Song of Solomon 4:11, says "Your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon". Which has a spiritual definition of sweetness, love, positive energy, humility, abundance, and divine nectar. The Bride's desire intimacy with the bridegroom represents the Christians’ desire to know Christ deeply, to experience his presence, and to be one with Him. Therefore, our deepest longings can only be satisfied in Him.

As Christians, we are cognizant that our celebration of Valentine's Day is distinct from the worldly interpretation. However, we can reinterpret it into a meaningful "Heart's Day" for us, focusing on the love and relationships that truly matter.

I've observed many Christian youths craving genuine relationships, sharing their experiences and emotions on Facebook, and anxiously worrying about getting older. Some express their longing for a romantic partner, while others struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Recently, I was invited to share God's message at a Born Again Apostolic Oneness gathering in Alava, Culion, Palawan. Before the event, I spent a night praying, seeking guidance on the message God wanted me to convey. As I opened my Bible, I was led to Song of Solomon 5:1. Initially, I had no idea about this Bible verse, but since it was God's chosen message, I conducted thorough research to ensure a deep understanding and effective delivery. Interestingly, I realized that Valentine's Day coincided, and fell on the same day (Feb. 14, 2025 Our Youth Service), which is a worldly celebration, and I believe that the church I went to wasn't aware of why we oppose this day. I knew many Christian youths would be anxious with their relationship status, especially singles, and would express their thoughts, obsessions, and feelings on Facebook. This prompted me to share a message of hope, encouragement, and God's love, reminding them that their worth and identity come from Him alone. The Book Song of Solomon beautifully portrays the passion of waiting in the relationship between the Shulamite and King Solomon. (I encourage you to read the whole book of Song of Solomon) The Bible offers many rewards and blessings for those who wait for love, particularly when it comes to waiting for God's perfect timing and plan for relationships. Here are some of the rewards mentioned in Scripture: 

 THE REWARD OF WAITING

1. Designed to prosper us and grant us a hopeful future (Psalm 27:14) - if we trust in God's sovereignty and benevolence (Romans 8:25)

2. Deeper intimacy with God - Waiting for love can deepen your relationship with God, as seen in Psalm 27:14, which says, "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

3. Spiritual growth and maturity - Waiting can help you grow in faith, patience, and self-control, as mentioned in 2 Peter 3:18, which encourages believers to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

4. Increased faith and trust - Waiting for love can strengthen your faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

5. Peace and contentment - Waiting for love can bring a sense of peace and contentment, as mentioned in Philippians 4:11-12, which says, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound."

6. Joy and happiness - Waiting for love can ultimately lead to joy and happiness, as seen in Psalm 30:5, which says, "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

7. Fulfillment and satisfaction - Waiting for love can lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, as mentioned in Psalm 37:4, which says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

8. A Godly partner - Waiting for love can lead to a godly partner who shares your values and faith, as seen in Proverbs 18:22, which says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."

9. A healthy and strong relationship - Waiting for love can lead to a healthy and strong relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and communication, as mentioned in Ephesians 5:25-33, which describes the relationship between Christ and the church.

10. A lifelong commitment and a happy ending - Waiting for love can lead to a lifelong commitment to one another, as seen in Matthew 19:4-6, which says, "He answered, 'Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh"?'" 

 THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT WAITING 

In today's fast-paced, instant-gratification world, many young people are tempted to rush into relationships, intimacy, and other experiences without waiting. However, the consequences of not waiting can be severe and long-lasting: 

 1. Emotional Hurt and Trauma (Proverbs 4:23) "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Rushing into relationships or intimacy without emotional readiness can lead to hurt, trauma, and emotional scars. 

 2. Unhealthy Attachments (2 Timothy 2:22) "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Not waiting can lead to unhealthy attachments, codependency, and obsessive behaviors.

3. Physical and Mental Health Risks (1 Corinthians 6:18-20) "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" Engaging in physical intimacy without waiting can increase physical and mental health risks. 

 4. Regret and Shame (Proverbs 5:11-14) "At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, ‘How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors.'" Acting impulsively without waiting can lead to regret and shame. 

 5. Missed Opportunities for Personal Growth (Psalm 119:105) "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Not waiting can cause young people to miss opportunities for personal growth, self-reflection, and development of important life skills. 

 6. Unrealistic Expectations (Proverbs 24:1-2) "Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble." Rushing into relationships or experiences without waiting can create unrealistic expectations. 

 7. Lack of Self-Discovery (Psalm 139:23-24) "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Not waiting can prevent young people from discovering their own values, interests, and goals. 

 8. Inability to Develop Healthy Boundaries (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7) "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God." Failing to wait can lead to an inability to establish and maintain healthy boundaries. 

 A BIBLICAL REMINDER 

Waiting for love can be a challenging and uncertain experience, but God's message is clear: wait patiently and trust in His perfect timing. As Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope". God wants us to wait patiently, not anxiously or desperately. Psalm 27:14 encourages us to "wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!". This means trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when things seem uncertain or delayed. While waiting, God is working on us, transforming us into the best version of ourselves. As Romans 8:25 says, "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently". This patience is not just about waiting for someone, but also about becoming the person God wants us to be.