I Love You, July 14
Written by Thomas Sherrod
“He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love” (Song of Solomon 2:4 NASB).
A friend of mine is getting married next month. She posted pictures on Facebook of her bachelorette party. Hanging over the mantel was a banner saying, “Getting Marry D.” It was a statement of celebration! Her new status was being proclaimed loudly. She will move from being single to being married. When she fills out forms for jobs and medical appointments, she will check the married box. Her identity will change.
Members of God’s family can post a placard above their lives celebrating their new identity. We can see this beautifully done in Song of Solomon. Not only is this a book of the Bible, but it is also a love story. It describes the love of King Solomon for his bride. It can also describe the love of God for His people. “His banner over me is love” could be engraved on every Christian’s hearth. I need to be reminded daily of God’s self-sacrificial love for me. The world bases its opinion of me upon performance. Some people’s salaries are determined by their production. That is not the case with Christians. Our place in the heart of God is a gift.
Cancer can test our faith in God’s love for us. You may have been tempted to string a sign over your house reading “forsaken” or “forgotten.” That may seem overly harsh, but cancer can eat at your thoughts and emotions. God desires to infuse the message of His love into your veins. He wants your place in His heart as His beloved forever etched in your mind and soul. “His banner over me is love” is a refrain He sings to you each morning.
In a world that divides people by winners and losers, we must hear the unifying message given to all. God seeks to gather all into His house where its occupants know they are loved and cherished. They realize that nothing can separate them from the love of the Father. They march to the beat of a different drummer. The drumbeat of victory resounds throughout His house. Take a minute and visualize a banner hanging above your mantel that God has written. What does it say? “Beloved.” “Cherished.” “Precious Child of God.” Let God write the message that will define who you are now and forever; His banner over you is love.
Pray: Lord, thank You for loving me. Infuse Your love into my life. May Your love overflow into the lives of others. Protect me from the lies of the world. Help me claim Your message of love and engrave it upon my heart. Amen.
Your Turn:
Write out a message of God’s love to post on your refrigerator or your computer.
In prayer, visualize the banner of love hanging on your front door or etched on your fireplace hearth.
Thomas W. Sherrod, Cancer Survivor
Tom is a retired hospital chaplain who works part time for Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health System in North Carolina. He organized and facilitated a cancer support group for twenty years as part of his hospital ministry. He is married for forty-four years and enjoys his three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. He is a recent survivor of prostate cancer and is immensely thankful for all of God's grace and provisions through it all.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
