God's Glory Church

“Love… is like… the heat of fire, it is a flame.” — Song of Songs 8:6

Poet, artist and printer William Blake enjoyed forty-five years of marriage to his wife Catherine. From their wedding day until his death in 1827, they always worked together. Catherine added colors to William’s sketches. Their zeal persisted despite years of poverty and other hardships. Blake continued to paint even in the last weeks of his life, after his health had deteriorated. His last drawing was his wife’s face. Four years later, Kateryna died, holding one of her husband’s pencils in her hand.

The strong love of this couple serves as a reflection of the love depicted in the book of Song of Songs. Although this description contains allusions to marriage, the early Christians believed that it also indicated the undying love of Jesus for all His followers. The Song says that love is “strong… like death.” This is a striking metaphor, for death is an inevitable reality that men must know (Ps. 8:6). Strong love, “like… the heat of fire, it is a flame” (v. 6). Unlike the flame we are used to, this flame cannot be extinguished. “Great waters cannot quench love” (v. 7).

Who among us does not long for true love? The song reminds that the source of any manifestation of sincere love is God. In Jesus, each of us can know a deep and eternal love that burns like a flame.

Where have you met strong love? How does the love of Jesus sustain you?

Dear God, please help me to accept Your love and show it to others.

Author: Wynn Collier