8. THE PASSIONATE HEART

THIS SERIES: A HEALTHY HEART

1. A Healthy Heart
2. Healthy Heart Check
3. Defeating the Accuser
4. Destroying Strongholds
5. The Freedom of Forgiveness
6. Dealing with Worry
7. The Believing heart
​8. The Passionate Heart

​Some time ago, researching the ‘fire of God’, I came across Misty Edwards’ unusual worship song. Unable to place it in its scriptural context, I investigated more, and eventually found its source in the Song of Solomon. 

​Here is the passage in the Passion Translation; the Bridegroom-King is speaking:

Who is this one? Look at her now!
She arises out of her desert, clinging to her beloved.
When I awakened you under the apple tree,
as you were feasting upon me,
I awakened your innermost being with the travail of birth
as you longed for more of me.
 
Fasten me upon your heart as a seal of fire forevermore.
This living, consuming flame will seal you as my prisoner of love.
My passion is stronger than the chains of death and the grave,
All-consuming as the very flashes of fire from the burning heart of God.
Place this fierce, unrelenting fire over your entire being…
Endless floods will be unable to quench this raging fire that burns within you…
[Song of Solomon 7: 5-7]

The word for 'seal' means a signet ring, which was worn by a cord over the heart, or attached to the arm. It was the personal seal of an individual, a symbol of status and influence, and was often used to show a marriage or family relationship.

I think I prefer the softer word ‘captive’, to 'prisoner' as I think 'prisoner' has negative connotations of force, and the words are a plea coming from a 'burning heart of love', rather than an invincible demand for submission. The TPT explains that this phrase can equally be translated. 'The Mighty Flame of the Lord Most Passionate’!

​We were made for love; to give it and receive it. Why not set aside some time to go into the secret place to meet with Jesus, our Heavenly Bridegroom?

Put off the pressures of the day, and get really quiet inside. Turn your heart’s gaze towards the Lord, and ask Him to come close.

Read all of the Song of Solomon in the Passion Translation. Then continue to sit quietly in His presence, and play the worship video again. Ask Him to give you a fresh revelation of the depths of His love for you.
​

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the Lord’s holy people,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge
 – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
​[Ephesians 3:17-19]

We were made for passion. Our human relationship status is immaterial; we have a Heavenly Bridegroom waiting to woo us.

​Let’s make it a date.

PASS IT ON

​If you have been blessed, inspired or challenged by this post…

• Please get in touch (see top sidebar) or make a comment (below left)
• Please share it with others (see sidebar)

NEXT WEEK: NEW SERIES

[Photo credits:  Cullan Smith (fire);  Allec Gomes (matches) @ Unsplash, with thanks]