Song of Solomon 2:1-2
A LILY AMONG THE THORNS
Intro: Ill. The Song of Solomon. Some people do not feel that it should be a part of the Bible. However, there are many beautiful passages in this book that can teach couples a lot about how to love one another. It is a very practical book. At the same time, it also gives us a picture of the Lord’s love for His church. 
In its pages, we can see a clear portrait of exactly what the Lord thinks about His people.  If you feel that you are unloved and that sometimes, even God doesn’t care for you, I want you to know that this message is for you!
I. A PRECIOUS COMPARISON
A. The Bride is compared to a flower.
B. Why? A flower possesses:
1. Beauty – (Ill. The beauty of a changed life - 2 Cor. 5:17; 2 Cor. 4:7)
2. Fragrance - (Ill. The fragrance of a devoted life. Ill. A sweet savor - 2Cor. 2:15) (Ill. A clean, holy life is a sweet smelling sacrifice to the Lord, Rom. 12:1-2.)
3. The flower contains within itself the seeds of new life - Ill. Matt. 5:16.
C. The Bridegroom’s word expresses His great love for the Bride. She fills his senses, and he is lost in his love for her - Song 6:4-7; 7:1-9.
(Note: Think of God’s great love for His people, John 3:16; Rom. 5:8! He loved us enough to send His Son to endure the cross so He could have a relationship with you and me! - Heb. 12:2. His love knows no boundaries!
II. A POINTED CONTRAST
A. Ill. The bride is contrasted with the thorns.
B. Why?
1. She stands out from among them - (Ill. 4:7-9)
2. She is infinitely more attractive than they are. (Ill. Thorns are ugly!) (Ill. The lost sinner is made attractive by the work of grace in his heart! Ill. Eph. 2:10 - Workmanship! We are unworthy to stand before Him in our natural condition, Isa. 64:6
3. She possesses a life which they do not, nor cannot possess - John 5:24. (Ill. As a lily, she possesses His nature; they do not! She bears His image; they do not! Ill. Divine nature - 2 Pet. 1:4!) (Ill. Thorns are a mark of the curse. Lilies are a symbol of divine providence! 
4. She brings pleasure to Him that others cannot. (Ill. Thorns are painful!) (Ill. The bride and the bridegroom possess an intimate relationship - 1 John 1:7) (Ill. The Lord means something to the Christian that the world cannot understand - Song 5:8-16!) 
5. She has something she can give to Him that others cannot - 1John 4:19 - Ill. She gives him her love. The thorns are fit only for the fire! (Ill. Thorns do not produce fruit! She proves her love daily!)

III. A PRICELESS COMFORT
A. The Bridegrooms expressions of love brought joy to the Bride’s heart, 2:5.(Ill. Women and needs! Fellows, we could learn a lesson right here!)
B. There are certain aspects of our relationship with Jesus that bring joy and comfort to our hearts tonight. They are:
1. He Considers Us - (Ill. He sees everything we do! The right and the wrong! He sees every defect and every flaw.) (Ill. The Shumanite - Song 1:5-6 - In these verses, her self-confidence is pretty well shot. She thinks she is ugly and unappealing. Ill. Many Christians feel that way tonight - It need not be so!)
2. He Continues To love us - (Ill. Song 1:8-11, 15) Jer. 31:3; Rom. 8:38-39 – He knows us better than we know ourselves, yet His love is unabated! He knew me before He saved me and He saved me still! He knew that I would fail Him daily, but He loves me still!
3. He Claims us - (Ill. “MY” - 1:15; 2:2; 6:4-9; 7:1-9) (Ill. There is pain involved in retrieving the lily from among the thorns. It cost Jesus much to buy us from our sins!
4. He Commissions Us - (Matt. 28:18-20) He has entrusted His Kingdom work to you and me! What a responsibility! He sees every Christian as being important to everything He is doing!