Articles
Indescribable
“You are altogether beautiful, my darling, and there is no blemish in you.” (Song of Songs 4:7)
Have you ever watched a sunrise or sunset? Have you taken a moment to allow the horizon with all its magnificent colors to overwhelm your soul? It is a wonderous gift to have an opportunity to gaze into the far-off sky and marvel at God’s handiwork. There is so much beauty in those breathtaking moments. God showers incredible beauty upon His creation. Let our minds contemplate some of His wonders.
It is an overused cliché, but the adage “love at first sight” has its merits. For example, God’s first look at His fully formed creation led Him to declare that it was “very good” (Gen. 1:31). Anyone who would have had the opportunity to view creation before sin could have expressed the same sentiment. Likewise, one can only imagine the loveliness and tranquility of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:8). People who speak of paradise, or taking a trip that would hopefully mimic the experience, can’t begin to fathom what the Garden must have been like.
When Isaac and Rebekah first laid eyes upon one another, there is a sense of an instant connection (cf. Gen. 24:64ff). Likewise, Solomon writes of a Shulammite woman that becomes his bride (cf. Song of Songs 1:9ff). The vivid descriptions that are given in the text present a model for a bride and groom. Passionate declarations of love are exchanged between the two. One must remember that a husband and wife coming together is approved by God (cf. Gen. 2:22ff). This includes the beauty that is expressed through physical intimacy (cf. Heb. 13:4). Marriage is a blessing from God where a man and woman are one (cf. Matt. 19:4ff; Eph. 5:22ff).
Witnessing a groom seeing a bride and vice-versa on the wedding day may leave one speechless, there is no amount of words for when a child is born (cf. Jn. 16:21). God declares that a person is indeed blessed if they are given children (cf. Psa. 127:3ff). A parent should be in awe when their child is placed in their arms. Many shed tears of inexpressible joy, and rightfully so. The Psalmist beautifully articulates the formation of life, “For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psa. 139:13f).
The things stated are all worthwhile, but there are matters far greater. When a person recognizes their insufficiency because of sin (cf. Ecc. 7:20; Rom. 3:23) and makes a conscious decision to live for the Lord (cf. Rom. 6:4; Acts. 22:16), there is immense joy. However, there is even greater joy when someone has forsook the Father, yet returns (cf. Lk. 15:11ff). Jesus illustrates this in that there is much to be celebrated in Heaven when one repents of their sinful ways (cf. Lk. 15:7, 10).
Lastly, we should see the beauty in a life that has been lived faithfully to the Lord and has gone to be with Him. Even though loved ones will be missed, the assurance of the eternal reward of peace and hope of seeing them again offers consolation. Paul eloquently states, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith…there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:7f). We can envision this further when the Lord will gather all His people to Himself (cf. Eph 5:27). Death and sin will have no power. There will be an immeasurable joy for those that will be welcomed into the everlasting presence of God. May we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant…Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matt. 25:21, 34).
“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple” (Psa. 27:4).
