Day 1 on a study of Song of Songs

Song of Songs 1: 1-8

Vs 6

"Don't Stare at me because I am dark- The sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to car for their vineyards, so I couldn't care for myself - my own vineyards." NIV

"Don't look down on me because I'm dark, darkened by the sun's harsh rays. My brothers ridiculed me and sent me to work in the fields. they made me care for the face of the earth, but I had no time to care for my own face." MSG

When I first read this passage I was thinking of what a women would think if she had been working for years in a field and then the Guy shows up. Oh my words, look at my skin its so dark not pale like the rich girls, oh look how I am filthy, there is dirt under my nails, I'm so sweaty I know I must smell so very bad, couldn't he have shown up right after I had a bath. I thought this passage must be about how we get preoccupied with the world and cleaning up its mess that we neglect ourselves and getting ready for Jesus. And then... A phrase kept popping up in my head HE LOVED HER ANYWAYS. He hadn't said anything about how she looked. He never looked down on her. In fact he hadn't even opened his mouth yet. First she was telling her to kiss her and how awesome he was and she was so excited, then it was that nagging voice in her head going yeah he is amazing but look at you. You are a mess. He is never going to love you.

Isn't that just what the devil does to us. God sends us something amazing and at first we are so stinking excited. Then the devil goes but what when you did this or that. How could you deserve this. He says look at you. You will NEVER get the man of your dreams, god must know this too that is why he has left you to be single. We have to stop buying into this LIE. HE LOVES US ANYWAY and wants the very best for us!

God, You are such an amazing Father.  I can't get over what an amazing father you are. You sent your only son to die for me and Jesus died for me not out of obligation but out of love. HE LOVED ME Anyways. He knew every time I was going to royally screw up. He knew every time I was going to let myself and you down. He knew I would never live up to your perfection so he died for ME out of Love. So many times the devil tells me that you couldn't possibly love me and what me to have a loving godly husband because what loving and godly husband would want a screw up like me. I listen to him to much. My loving and godly husband is having the same lies whispered into his ears about me. Help me to remember that YOU LOVED ME ANYWAYS. That you want to give me my hearts desires and that the devil is a big fat liar who is only here to steal, kill, and destroy my desires and dreams. Thank you for all you do.

Amen