A Love Note

I just finished a small book called “Love Notes from God” by Mary Hollingsworth. It was a book that was given to me some time ago by my dear friend, Cheri. She also included several precious notes of her own (each including some amazing insight into God and the scriptures). The final note of hers that I read was at the end of the book when I was reading little stories about being lost and found (and coming home). She gave this verse from Song of Solomon 2:4 which reads: “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

The way Cheri described it is beautiful: “He hoisted himself - the banner of love - up on a cross to fly over us. No banner of man can come close to the banner He waved.”

Amen to that! It reminded me of Zephaniah 3:17 and Psalm 23:5-6: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing….Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

Did you ever realize that the whole chapter of Luke 15 is devoted to the lost that was found and their homecoming? There are THREE stories telling of His love for us. We stray like sheep, but He pursues us and finds us. He celebrates every lost soul that is found! And, like the woman who finds her lost coin, He is overjoyed at finding something so precious and priceless!

Next, we see the infamous story of the prodigal son. No matter what he had done, the Father rejoices and welcomes him home! His love for him abounds. He feels no anger, resentment, hatred, judgment, or condemnation towards his son; only mercy and grace. This is how a good and loving parent treats their child. How much MORE so, oh gracious Father, do You show this to us?! You throw that party! You are glad to see us! You rejoice over us with singing! You prepare the banquet feast! We dine with You and spend our time in Your presence underneath that beautiful banner of love! How awesome!

Dearest friends, this is how much God loves us! Pause for a moment to think about it and take it all in. Let it sink down deep into your soul. If it moves you to tears, let it out as you let His love in! Breathe and be still. Praise the Lord!

Take a look at those verses again. It often helps to read God’s Word and to personalize it with Your own name (when you see the pronouns you/me) because, after all, His Word is for you! It speaks to your heart! Let it speak! Put your name in the place of the blanks and read it to yourself. Know that you are SO LOVED! Grace and peace to you! May His blessings rest on you all, His beloved:

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. (Solomon 2:4). The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23:5-6).

“I bring you, _____, to the banqueting house. My banner over you is love. I am with you, ____. I am mighty to save. I take great delight in you, _____. I will quiet you with my love, _____. I rejoice over you with singing. I prepare a table before you, _____, in the presence of your enemies. I anoint your head with oil and your cup runs over. Goodness and mercy shall follow you, _____, all the days of your life and you will dwell in my house forever!”