[Applause] welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread I'm W CER and I wrote today's piece love as strong as death if you were to stroll along the old brick wall stretching between the Protestant and Catholic graveyards in ront Netherlands you discover a curious site on each side flush against the wall stands two identical tow ring headstones one for a Protestant husband and one for his Catholic wife cultural rules during the 19th century required they be buried in separate cemeteries they wouldn't accept their fate however their unusual headstones are high enough to reach above the
fence obstruction so that at the top is only about a foot or two of air separating them a top each a sculptured arm reaches out to the other each clasping the other's hand the couple refuse to be separated even in death the song of songs explains Love's power love is as strong as death Solomon says it's jealousy unyielding as the grave true love is powerful ferocious it burns like a blazing fire true love never surrenders won't be silenced and can't be destroyed many Waters cannot quench love writes Solomon Rivers cannot sweep it away God is
love our strongest love is only a fractured reflection of his ferocious love for us he's the ultimate source of any love that's genuine any love that holds [Music] fast our scripture reading for today is from Song of Songs chapter 8: 6 to 7 Place me like a seal over your heart like a seal on your arm for love is as strong as death it's jealousy unyielding as the grave it burns like blazing fire like a mighty Flame many Waters cannot quench love Rivers cannot sweep it away if one were to give all the wealth of
one's house for love it would be utterly scorned let's pray dear God we need your love that's stronger than death stronger than evil stronger than my failings thank you for your Powerful Love in Jesus name amen today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries
