You are God’s favorite, and I can prove it. Have you ever read Song of Songs in The Passion Translation? If not, I highly recommend you add it as the next book to read in your Bible. It’s mind-blowing to see the intimate (into me you see) love that Jesus has for his bride, which is you and me.
In the Song of Songs introduction, Brian Simmons, the author of The Passion Translation, identifies the “Major Themes” of the book as Christ’s divine love for his bride, divine Christian romance, and passionate Christian devotion. We are going to focus on Christ’s divine love for His bride today.
Brian Simmons’ Take On Song of Songs
Brian Simmons introduces Song of Songs, saying, “The first book translated in the Passion Translation was the Song of Songs (also known as the Song of Solomon), my favorite book in the Bible. I have fallen in love with this sweetest song of all the ages. We see the Shulamite’s breathtaking journey unveiled in this amazing allegory. It is the path every passionate lover will take. But this divine parable penned by Solomon also describes the journey that every longing lover of Jesus will find as his or her very own.” (From the About section in the introduction of Song of Songs by Brian Simmons).
I think it’s important to note that this book of the Bible, Song of Songs, is Dr. Simmons’ favorite book in the Bible. As you read this book, reflect on your journey with Jesus. Receive the way He sees you and let it sink deep in your heart.
Surrendering To Jesus
Let’s begin in chapter 6 of Song of Songs in The Passion Translation. The Shulamite bride, who represents you and me, declares her love for the Lord in verse three, saying:
I am fully devoted to my beloved, and my beloved is fully devoted to me.
Then the Bridegroom-King, Jesus, responds to her, the Shulamite Bride, in verses 4-10, and it’s absolutely beautiful. When you read these intimate verses, bask in the depth and beauty of His words. Meditate on the value of yielding your life to Jesus, the King of Kings. When you surrender your life to Jesus, this is the intimacy that follows.
As His bride, you are His beloved. And remember that His bride is not limited to women, but is you as a devoted lover of Jesus, so it applies to both women and men. Let’s start in verse four.
O my beloved, you are lovely. When I see you in your beauty, I see a radiant city where we will dwell as one. (Footnote #1: 6:4 The text includes a reference to Jerusalem. For the Jew, it is the city where God and man lived together. For the believer, it points to the New Jerusalem, where God and man dwell in holy union.) More pleasing than any pleasure, more delightful than any delight, you have ravished my heart, stealing away my strength to resist you. Even hosts of angels stand in awe of you. (Footnote #2 6:4 This is how various Hebrew scholars have interpreted the phrase: “[you are] awe inspiring, as an army with banners.” )
Song of Songs 6:4, TPT
Jesus Adores You
Jesus adores you. He says you have ravished His heart, or you have overcome His heart. This is love’s delight and why we pursue Him. Our undying devotion to Jesus is our most yielded sacrifice. Next, we move on to verse five, where Jesus continues to express how much He adores you.
Turn your eyes from me; I can’t take it anymore! I can’t resist the passion of these eyes that I adore. Overpowered by a glance, my ravished heart—undone. Held captive by your love, I am truly overcome! (Footnote #1: 6:5 The Hebrew word for “overcome” is rahab. Like the harlot who was chosen, favored, saved from Jericho’s destruction, and included in the genealogy of Jesus, so you have “overcome” his heart. No one would have thought Rahab would be so honored, and many have said that about you. You have overcome many things, but to overcome him is love’s delight.) For your undying devotion to me is the most yielded sacrifice. (Footnote #2: 6:5 Literally “Your hair is like a wave of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.” We see hair as a picture of our devotion to Christ. See Song. 4:1 and its footnote. )
Your devotion to Jesus ignites His passion for you. He cannot resist the passion in your eyes. Just a glance from you, and He is undone.
You are Jesus’ Favorite
And now, let’s get to the point of my post today: you ARE God’s favorite. Drink in the depth of verse eight, which proves you are His very favorite, just as I am His favorite, and every other believer who chooses Him over everything else this world has to offer.
I could have chosen any from among the vast multitude of royal ones who follow me. (Footnote #1: 6:8 The Hebrew text literally means “sixty queens, eighty brides, and endless numbers of women.” )
But who did he choose? Let’s look at the in-depth answer to that question in verse 9. It’s you, His unique, beloved dove.
But unique is my beloved dove—unrivaled in beauty, without equal, beyond compare, the perfect one, the favorite one. Others see your beauty and sing of your joy. Brides and queens chant your praise: “How blessed is she!”’
He chose YOU! You are the perfect one, the favorite one!! You are without equal. I mean, has anyone ever said that to you before? But, Jesus says it here. You are beyond compare. Let those words wreck you. Receive His perfect love.
The reason Jesus put Himself as a sacrifice on the cross was and is for perfect love.
It was all for you so that you could let Him heal every wound in your heart and have the opportunity to let Him set you on the path to fulfill your God-given destiny. He did it for you because you are His favorite.
If you have never seen yourself this way, as His favorite, let this new truth settle in your heart. Let your spirit receive Jesus seeing you unrivaled in beauty, without equal, beyond compare. Know in your heart that you are His perfect one; His favorite one.
Keep Reading Song of Songs
I encourage you to read the entire book of Song of Songs in The Passion Translation version of the Bible as it is an allegory for how Jesus pursues our hearts. Intimacy with Jesus means that into me you see. As you get vulnerable with Him and bear your full heart, He responds with His unending love. Don’t miss this part of your journey because I think it’s the BEST part. You are His favorite.
I hope this encourages you today! I dedicate this post to Stephanie, who has inspired me. Thank you, my girl! The way you love Jesus is INSPIRING!
Keep Seeking Him,
Rayna
Thank you Rayna for slowing me down to read this slowly and carefully. I want to receive it ! Thank you for the encouragement.
You are so welcome, Lori! As I was reading these chapters, I was like, I have to share my thoughts in a blog post because Song of Songs is so rich in scripture about how much we are cherished, adored, and loved.