Transformed – teen devotion – February 23, 2020
Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.
My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.
My beloved spoke and said to me, “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me.
Song of Songs 2:7-10
Save it for the real thing
What in the world did I just read? All I see are natural landscapes, scurrying animals, and changing seasons?
The Bible book entitled Song of Songs is, in general, about two people who are deeply in love. They are yearning for each other and the opportunity to express themselves through the gift of sex.
The world exclaims, “Yes, let it fly!” Our minds may ask, “But isn’t that wrong?” Awkward parents and teachers may wish, “Let’s not talk about it!”
Actually, we do need to talk. But how?
The world tells you that God is unnecessarily withholding something good from you and abuses God’s gift. Almost every form of entertainment minimizes the gift of sex: One-night flings, multiple partners before marriage, affairs, graphic pornographic exploitation, or just flat out inappropriate thoughts and touching that fly in the face of this beautiful thing God has ordained for marriage.
Before you get duped into the thinking, “How far can we go before it counts as sex?” know this: God created us to be different sexes to enjoy sex the way (and the best way!) intended—in marriage. Until then, God has called us to purity: pure thoughts, words, and actions. It is not about “how far can we go” but “how best can I safeguard my purity?
There is a chance that you may have already slipped into viewing pornography or engaging in sexual activity. Do not despair! Practice daily repentance. Plead for daily renewal. Jesus has covered all sins, including the sexual ones. Commit your way to Jesus, and he will guard and keep you from falling. God has not blocked you from this gift; he wants you to share it only with the one he has hand-picked for you to spend the rest of your life with, to save it for the real thing!
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for making me and all people special. Help me to treasure your gift of sex and prepare me to enjoy it only with my spouse, so that it can be a special gift we give only to each other. Drive sinful thoughts from me, and give me a pure heart that loves what you have decided is best for me. In Jesus’ blood you have made me free. Amen.
Ever read Song of Songs in the Bible? What in the world? It is a great love story written by God for his people. #Godsgiftofsex #blockedformarriage
