The Beloved (the Groom): Like a lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

The Shulamite (the Bride): Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste (Song of Solomon 2:2, 3).

Solomon’s beautiful love song is unique in Scripture because, rather than directly providing historical, theological, or spiritual insights for our walk with the Lord, it reveals intimate details of the relationship between Solomon and his bride.

However, there is an abundance of principles and applications in Solomon’s words. For example, we can learn God’s intention for marriage as the bride and groom express their love for each other in preparation for and during their union. I can’t help but think about my most important human relationship as I read their story.

“Ready?” Dad asked with a smile.

I looked at him and knew we were sharing a life-changing moment. I trembled slightly, nodded, and let him guide me into position. When the organ pipes opened and the wedding march began, Dad walked me down the aisle to my waiting fiancé.

My future husband smiled broadly, and love radiated from his eyes. He made me feel beautiful, created for this moment. I returned the loving look and could not take my eyes off him. I could not imagine a better match for me. This man had changed my life and brought me delight in many ways. I knew God had brought us together and that we would be sweethearts forever.

Fast-forward almost forty-one years, and my husband and I are more in love than ever. But it has not been an easy road. During our most challenging season, I turned away from his love. I suffered the consequences of untreated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental illness, resulting in an outpatient treatment program at a psychiatric hospital.

But even as I healed and God restored my life, I wondered, Have I lost him?

The Shulamite (the Bride): By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. “I will rise now,” I said, “and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.” I sought him, but I did not find him. The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said, “Have you seen the one I love?” Scarcely had I passed by them, when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go, until I had brought him to the house of my mother, and into the chamber of her who conceived me (3:1-4).

When our faithful God brings two people together, He intends them to make every effort to stay together. It took my husband and me years to repair the damage to our marriage, but through this experience, our devotion to each other grew stronger. And, while our four children experienced pain and heartache during those challenging years, I’m thankful they also witnessed God’s redeeming and restoring work. They watched as their mom and dad forgave each other, learned new ways to communicate, and began to love as Christ commanded. As an added blessing, our great and merciful God brought us into a deeper relationship with Him as He worked a miracle of healing in our marriage and family.

As life continued, we were thrilled when our two daughters became brides. Their weddings fit their distinct personalities and reminded us how God created everyone to be unique. Solomon echoed this truth about his bride. I could easily apply many of his words to my precious daughters on their wedding days.

The Beloved (the Groom): But my dove, my perfect one, is unique: she is her mother’s only daughter; she is the pure child of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying, “Who is this that grows like the dawn, as beautiful as the full moon, as pure as the sun, as awesome as an army with banners?” (6:9, 10, NASB).

In 2013, I looked my younger daughter in the eyes and said, “Are you ready?”

She laughed and nodded with eyes sparkling. Only eight months before, she had met the young man who was now waiting by the preacher. But she had no doubt that God had brought them together.

We finished her hair and adjusted the veil before she floated down the aisle to the music her husband wrote for the occasion. Today they have two beautiful children, a daughter and a son, being raised in a Christian home by parents who are dedicated to teaching them God’s Word.

The following year, my other daughter got married. Unlike her less patient sister, she spent an entire year planning the special day. She carefully considered every detail from the rehearsal dinner to the reception. As Dad and daughter processed solemnly to the front of the cathedral, tears came to my eyes as she said, “I do” to her soul mate.

Today, she and her husband have two beautiful daughters. A vibrant prayer life is one of their strengths as a couple, and we are blessed to see their Christian marriage thrive.

It is amazing how God uses everyday events to reveal truths about His kingdom. A groom and bride beautifully represent God’s intended relationship between Jesus and His church. In his revelation, John writes that he “saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).

It will be a beautiful day when the bride (the church) meets her husband (Jesus) for an eternity in a new heaven and a new earth: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (v. 4).

Jesus will return to claim His bride. The final verses in Solomon’s song could represent Jesus’ words to us and the sense of urgency we need as we look forward to that occasion.

The Beloved (the Groom): You who dwell in the gardens, the companions listen for your voice — let me hear it!

The Shulamite (the Bride): Make haste, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices (Song of Solomon 8:13, 14).

Let us echo the bride’s sentiment: “Come, Lord Jesus, come.”

Caroline S. Cooper has been published in such publications as Standard, Indian Life magazine, and Focus on the Family Online. She has also contributed to a number of book compilations and has self-published books. Caroline lives in Harrisonville, MO. Harrisonville, MO.