Refreshment From God’s Word

By Joni and Friends|Published On: November 13, 2019|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

Close up of an open bible translated into another language.

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and isn’t God’s Word refreshing?!

And, oh, don’t our souls need to be refreshed and encouraged in this crazy, broken world?! I mean, I almost don’t want to pick up a newspaper; I hardly watch the evening news on TV; maybe on my iPhone, I used to check my news app every day for breaking news, but not anymore. Everywhere you go, people seem to be angry – and it does not help when our own schedules are frenzied, like mine yesterday with errands to run, a dental appointment, a surprise visit from out-of-towners, and rushing to pick up dinner on our way home.

By the time Ken and I finished our meal that night, we were exhausted. Tired as we were, though, we still followed our routine of, you know, reading the Bible before bedtime. We do this through the Bible in a year, chronological reading every year. I think this is our 12th year of reading through the Bible every year, and our readings that entire week had been almost as exhausting, having read about battles against Midianites, the corruption of King Saul, David’s sin of adultery and murder. As Ken opened his Bible yesterday evening, I wondered what plague, what famine, what battle we’re going to read about tonight.

But I was pleasantly surprised, when Ken looked on our chronological reading chart, and he opened to the Song of Solomon. Most of you know that it’s written as a metaphor of our love for God, and His love for us. But not merely His love; Song of Solomon describes God’s passion for us, and the language used is fitting for any bridegroom who’s wildly in love with his betrothed. As Ken began to read, I mean, I quieted my heart; I let the calm, soothing words wash over me. The Song of Solomon depicts Jesus as the Lover, the Lily of the Valley, the Fairest of ten thousand; He is the Rose of Sharon and His love is better than wine; He is altogether-lovely; His banner over me is love.

I just felt my soul relax, like, “Ahhh.” I was being refreshed and renewed, just hearing these beautiful words and thinking of Jesus, “My beloved says to me, ‘Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away with me. For winter is past, the rain is gone, the flowers are upon the earth and the time of singing has come.” And then, “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?” And in my heart sitting there I said to myself, “It’s me, Jesus, leaning upon You, my Beloved; I am Yours and You are mine. Set me as a seal upon your heart, for your love is stronger than death.” Wow!

When Ken finished the Song of Solomon, he quietly closed the Bible and we just sat there smiling. How utterly refreshing it was, to read such beautiful scriptures! And what a contrast to our frenzied, frenetic day, rushing here and there; such a contrast against all the bad news you hear in this broken, crazy world.

It’s what the Word of God is intended to do. It’s filled with refreshment and hope, reminding us of the Day Star who will soon rise in our hearts, when sorrow and sighing shall flee away, and everlasting joy will crown our heads. What a glorious day that’ll be. So, this weekend, do yourself a favor and read the song of Solomon; be reminded of your Beloved. And, hey, think about joining Ken and me next year as we read all the way through the Bible again. Talk to your spouse about joining you and Ken and me and a whole group of others – because the days are crazy and evil; the world is broken, and nothing refreshes the heart more than reading about Jesus, your Beloved. Join us next year, 2020, as we read through the Bible chronologically in a year.