Many Waters Cannot Quench Love

Four years ago this week . . . Tiffany and I exchanged vows of marriage, vows of life-long devotion to each other.

Our ceremony included these words about water and love from Song of Solomon 8:7:

Many waters cannot quench love;

Neither can floods drown it.

Lots of water has streamed under our bridge since then, but it has not quenched the joy or love in our hearts.

When forest fires ravage the land, water bombers scoop massive gulps of lake-water 25,000 litres at a time - and drop them across fields of flame, a huge wet blanket. With enough passes, the fire eventually surrenders.

Sadly, that happens in too many marriages. The sleet and squalls of life do their best to douse love’s flame; disappointments and distractions, jealousies and betrayals; rivers of grief and sorrow often seem over-whelming.

But mutual love - what the Hebrews called hesed -  has the power and motivation to face these many waters and not be over-whelmed. As it blazes in a marriage it warms and comforts, it ignites laughter, joy and hope, it refreshes and energizes the beloved.

Our poet celebrates such love and such a lover. She knows that no tsunami can match his faithfulness and the intensity of his devotion to her. She responds to him with the same energy of love she has received from him. This is responsive love, mutual reciprocal love.

I wonder . . . who in history has ever demonstrated more love like this than Jesus did?  His love stands firm against rivers of rejection, scorn and resistence. Nothing quenched - or quenches - his passionate love. It cost him dearly to pursue us, find us and give his life for us. The fire of his love not only warms the death-chill in our souls, it evaporates the mists of doubt and disbelief; it purges our souls and re-ignites pure love for him and for others. Jesus is Love incarnate, and he summons us to respond in flesh and blood to his devotion.

I know beyond any doubt that the love of Jesus Christ fuels the love that sustains my marriage every day.

Loving God, your passion and generosity blaze bright despite the drizzle of my half-heartedness. Help me learn from you what love really means – and how far it is willing to go. Amen