Whom My Soul Loveth

2012 was a benchmark year for my brother-in-law’s family. That March, he and his wife celebrated 50 years of marriage. That September, his granddaughter married, beginning her trek toward such a goal.

2013 was also a benchmark year. My brother-in-law went home to be with his Lord, without knowing his granddaughter would seen be adding another great-grandchild to his descendants.

Sad? Oh, yes – even when we have faith we will see him again. Oh, we miss him, painfully, reaching for the phone to call and realizing he’s not within reach. His wife wakes in an empty room as well as the realization that will remain unchanged.

Their granddaughter used a portion of a verse from Song of Solomon for her wedding invitations. I ran across that invitation, as well as her grandparent’s, this morning. Here’s her selection, in context:

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me. (Song of Solomon 3:1-4 KJV)

For those married fifty years or more, it appears obvious they did find the one whom their soul loveth. For the newly married, we pray they have, also. Should they ever question that, I would direct them to the New Testament:

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. (1 Corinthians 7:10-15 KJV)

Just as Daniel purposed in his heart to obey God, being married carried a God-given responsibility laid out here by Paul. He explicitly states, “not I, but the Lord” is the one commanding. The possibilities that follow comply with God’s planning.

That means entering marriage without a thought of divorce in the future. Being certain this is your soul mate because they are committed to the best for your soul, not just for your physical needs. Are those questions discussed and answered prior to marriage? Or will that “come later”? Be certain through prayer that you are with the one whom your soul loveth. Then, enjoy God’s blessings as His will is followed.