Unquenchable Love
Song
of Solomon is THE love song above ALL love songs, for it is the love song inspired by God to give us His perspective on love and romance. It is
also a powerful allegory which presents the love of God for His Bride, the
Church. The kind of deep love which a man and woman feel for each other is a remarkable
(albeit inadequate) hint of the love which God has for you and me.
Here
in verse 7, Solomon presents the permanence and value of love: “Many waters
cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all
the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.” With these
words, Solomon is saying that no amount of money can create or buy love, and no
amount of misery or hardship can kill true love.
Christ’s
love cannot be purchased for any price. His Love can’t be bought, can’t be sold—it’s not
to be found in the marketplace. If a man gave “all the wealth of his house” it
would fall infinitely short of obtaining God’s love. This covers any and every
attempt to “earn” or “merit” God’s love. It is an impossibility that any amount
of human effort could ever be enough to warrant God’s love. The good news is
that this truth brings great freedom to those who understand and accept it. It
is because we cannot purchase or earn or merit God’s love, that we can quit trying to and simply rest. When we recognize that God’s acceptance of
us is the free and heartfelt expression of His love, we are set free from the
tyranny of religion and of “being good enough” or “rich enough” or “holy enough.”
We can cease our labor, and enter into His rest and leap into His loving arms.
Christ’s love cannot be quenched by “many waters” or “floods.” In Scripture,
the word “floods” is often used of the miseries and trials and troubles which
people face in life. The words of Song 8:7 express God’s great truth that His
love is permanent and absolutely nothing can cause Him to stop loving you! Isaiah the prophet wrote, “When you pass through the waters, I will be
with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk
through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2). Note the promise contained here…
that He will not leave you when the floods of misery and difficulty come into
your life. He never promised life in Him would be easy, but He promised His
life and love will be with you the whole way.
His love for you is
permanent and unchangeable! You did nothing to earn this love, and you can do
nothing to terminate it. Even the greatest challenges of life are no match for
the permanent and undying love God has for you.