More Than Lovely, Always Worthy
Just as a single spice can fill a room with fragrance, so the presence of Jesus fills every part of the believer’s life with beauty.
Devotional Credit: His Victorious Indwelling compiled by Nick Harrison, featuring Thomas B. Strong
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Today’s reflection compiled by Nick Harrison draws from Song of Songs 5:16, “Yea, he is altogether lovely,” and turns our hearts toward the surpassing loveliness of Jesus. His devotional reminds us that no one deserves our love more than the One who loved us first and gave Himself for us. The joy of the saints, both perfected and still being perfected, is found in seeing and savoring the beauty of the Son of God. If heavenly beings delight in praising Him, then surely our hearts here on earth are meant to do the same.
Solomon, writing with the wisdom and fire of one who had tasted grace, declared that Jesus is not just lovely but altogether lovely. That is, there is no flaw, no deficiency, no part of Him that fails to inspire awe, love, and trust. In contrast to the many objects of affection that this world inflates or overhypes, the beauty of Jesus exceeds all estimations. His glory cannot be exaggerated, and our admiration of Him will always fall short of His worth.
Even so, what a privilege it is to love Him at all. Even the weakest affection toward Him is a miracle. The fact that we love Him, even in our stumbling and small ways, speaks of His goodness drawing us near. The more we gaze upon Him, the more we long to love Him fully. And in eternity, that longing will be answered in full, for we will be like Him and see Him as He is.
The final reflections from Toplady and Rutherford echo this longing. Our love grows, but so does our awareness that we have only seen a glimpse. Yet even the glimpse is enough to captivate the heart and awaken a desire for more.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My beloved, you love Me because I first loved you. I chose you before you could choose Me. I saw you, and I drew you with cords of kindness. Now My love has been poured into your heart by the Spirit I gave you. You belong to Me, and your heart has been made new to know Me and desire Me.
I am the altogether lovely One. Every facet of who I am is worthy of your adoration. There is no blemish in Me, and you are being conformed into that same image from glory to glory. I have placed eternity in your heart, and though now you see only in part, you will one day see fully. Until then, your love for Me will keep growing. It is My work in you, and I will perfect it.
When you fail, I remain faithful. When your gaze wanders, I remain your anchor. I will never stop drawing you deeper into My beauty, deeper into My heart, deeper into My love. Rest in this: the One who is altogether lovely is altogether yours.
Scripture References: Song of Songs 5:16, 1 John 4:19, Romans 5:5, 2 Corinthians 3:18, John 17:24, Philippians 1:6, 1 John 3:2, Hosea 11:4, Ecclesiastes 3:11
Real-Life Analogy
Imagine opening a drawer of spices and pulling out one that fills the whole room with warmth and sweetness. You breathe it in and say, “This is perfect.” You don’t need to add anything to it. It doesn’t just make the dish better. It makes the dish complete.
Jesus is like that. He is not one seasoning among many. He is the fullness, the fragrance, the beauty that completes the soul. We don’t grow by adding to Him. We grow by beholding Him.
Today, if something in you stirs to admire the kindness or gentleness of Jesus, pause and stay there. Whisper to the Lord, “I trust You to reveal Your loveliness through me in this moment, not just to me but through me to others.” Whether it’s a response to a loved one, a moment of gratitude, or a choice to rest instead of rush, let that admiration express itself in trust.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, You are altogether lovely, and You are mine. I rest in the truth that I am loved by the One who defines beauty. Thank You that even my love for You is birthed by Your Spirit within me. Though I see only a glimpse, it is enough to make me want more. I praise You for drawing me, for sealing me, for dwelling in me.
Let me live today not striving to feel more but trusting that You are living Your life through me. Your loveliness is not a concept but a Person. And that Person, Jesus, is alive in me. I am content to grow in love, because I know You are growing it in me.