Love Worth Singing About Sermon Series

A Journey Through the Song of Songs

Sermon 1: “The Love of God: Pursued and Cherished”

Recently, I was doing a Bible study through the Old Testament and I arrived at Song of Songs, sometimes called The Song of Solomon. It struck me that in all my years of preaching, I had never done a sermon series using this book. I’ve quoted a verse here or there, but I had never preached through it intentionally. And as I began to read it again, I was reminded of how beautifully this book is crafted—a work of poetry and passion.

I realized I had done the book a disservice by not digging deep into its words and letting the Holy Spirit speak through them. This series is my way of doing just that—discovering in its pages a message of hope, intimacy, and the unrelenting love of God.

I’ve entitled this first message “The Love of God: Pursued and Cherished.”

A Little Context

In one of my Bibles, I found this written:

“Nowhere in Scripture does the unspiritual mind tread upon ground so mysterious and incomprehensible as in this book, whereas saintly men and women throughout the ages have found it a source of pure and exquisite delight. That the love of the divine Bridegroom, symbolized here by Solomon’s love for the Shulammite maiden, should follow the analogy of the marriage relationship seems evil only to minds that are so ascetic that marital desire itself appears to them to be unholy.” – Scofield Study Bible

The Song of Songs is one of the most unique and beautiful books in all of Scripture. Unlike historical accounts or prophetic proclamations, this book is a love song—a poetic celebration of deep affection, devotion, and delight between two lovers. It draws us into a story of passionate pursuit and enduring commitment.

Though it describes romantic love between a bride and groom, it’s also a powerful picture of God’s love for His people. Just as the groom delights in the bride, God delights in us. Just as their love is exclusive, pure, and strong, so God’s covenant love is unwavering and eternal.

This book teaches us that love—when expressed rightly—reflects the very heart and character of God:

• It shows us how God loves us.

• It invites us to love one another as He has loved us.

• And it celebrates marital love as a sacred gift.

As we begin this series, “Love Worth Singing About,” we’re not just reading ancient poetry—we’re hearing a love song that still echoes today. And it points us back to the One who is Love Himself.

“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19

Prayer:

Lord, open our hearts to this beautiful book and let us see in its words the love You have for us, the love we should have for one another, and the love we have for our spouse. In the name of Christ—the epitome of love—we pray. Amen.

Text: Song of Songs 2:1–4 (NIV)

“I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women.

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men.

I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.”

God’s love for us is personal, passionate, and pursuing. In the love between the bride and bridegroom in this passage, we catch a glimpse of God’s covenant love for His people—a love that draws us close, covers us with grace, and delights in us.

1. God’s Love Invites Us In

In Hosea 2:19–20, God speaks these words:

“I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.” (NIV)

When Hosea wrote those words, they were addressed to God’s people who had been unfaithful. God’s heart was broken over their spiritual adultery. But even in His heartbreak, God could not stop loving His own. He made a covenant of love with a people who had wandered from Him.

And in Song of Songs 2:4, we hear a similar message. God invites us to the banquet hall, a place of belonging and joy. He invites us not because we are perfect, but because His love is greater than our failures.

The apostle Paul reminds us:

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

And Jesus said:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16

God doesn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up before extending His love. He invites us in just as we are, and through His Son, He restores the broken relationship.

When God invites us to His table, He’s not calling the worthy—He’s calling the loved.

2. God’s Love Covers Us

The old hymn says:

“I am my Beloved’s and He is mine—His banner over me is love.”

In the ancient world, a banner was a visible declaration of identity and victory. When a groom raised a banner over his bride, it was a public statement: “She belongs to me, and I to her.”

God does the same for us. When we come to Him, His love becomes our covering—a banner of belonging, protection, and celebration. His banner says:

• “You are Mine.”

• “You are safe here.”

• “You are loved beyond measure.”

This covering is also a shield against shame and accusation. Where sin exposed and condemned us, God’s love covers and redeems us. We stand beneath His banner, not because of our goodness, but because of His grace.

God’s love doesn’t just claim us—it covers us, protects us, and declares to the world that we belong to Him.

3. God’s Love Delights in Us

The love described in this song is not distant or formal—it is warm, intimate, and joyful. In verse 3, the bride says:

“I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.”

This is the language of delight—of someone who finds joy in being close to the one who loves her. That’s how God feels about His people. He doesn’t just save us out of obligation—He delights in us out of love.

Zephaniah gives us this incredible image:

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17

When we turn to Christ in faith, all of heaven rejoices. God’s love is not reluctant—it’s celebratory. He takes joy in us the way a bridegroom takes joy in his bride.

God doesn’t merely accept you—He rejoices over you with singing.

Closing

At the end of Scripture, in Revelation 19:6–9, we are invited to another banquet—the marriage supper of the Lamb. It is the ultimate fulfillment of what we glimpse here in Song of Songs. All who have put their faith in Christ are clothed in His righteousness, like a bride made ready for her Bridegroom.

The love that invites, covers, and delights will one day bring us fully into His presence at that great wedding feast.

“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” — Revelation 19:9

As we begin this series, let’s allow God’s love to draw us in, wrap around us, and fill us with joy. Because this is a love worth singing about.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your pursuing, covering, and delighting love. Thank You that while we were still sinners, You invited us in. May we rest under Your banner of love and rejoice in the promise of the great wedding banquet to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.