“Your love is better than wine” (Song of Solomon 1:2)

 Nothing gives the saint so much pleasure as fellowship with Christ. He can also enjoy the natural blessings available to sinners and the common grace given to all living things, but God is his “first love” (Revelation 2:4). 

 In the late 1800’s when Spurgeon wrote the “Your love is better than wine” message, the typical saint was tempted to sin to the degree that he allowed himself to be tempted. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the modern saint thinks it’s OK to press “click bait”, knowing full well he’ll be stimulated to lust. 

 THE WARNING OF GOD HAS NOT CHANGED: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17). 

 Homes have become little more than hotels where individuals lead separate lives shaped by their pocketgods. Most church-going men (including pastors) are addicted to the ever-changing pornography which is available 24/7. Once dependable bread-winners now spend their hard-earned income gambling online. It used to take at least 40 years to shift public opinion on oxymorons like “homosexual marriage” ...the pocketgod has changed the unthinkable into the acceptable in just a few years! 

 If, you’re not addicted to your pocketgod, “Your love is better than wine” makes sense.

 Where can such sweetness be found as we have tasted in communion with our Beloved? The joys of earth are little better than husks for swine compared with Jesus, the Bread of Life. We would rather have one mouthful of Christ's love, and a sip of His fellowship, than a whole world full of carnal delights. What is the chaff to the wheat? What is a dream compared to the glorious reality? 

 If, you know anything of the inner life, you’ll confess that your highest, purest, and most enduring joys must be the fruit of the Tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. All earthly bliss is of the earth, but the comforts of Christ's presence are like Himself, heavenly. Unlike earthly pleasures, the pleasure of communion with Christ has no regrets or final emptiness. It stands the test of years, and for all eternity is the only true delight. For nourishment, consolation, exhilaration, and refreshment, no wine can rival the love of Jesus. Let’s drink to the full this evening.