Exchanging Kisses

Being made in the image of God, we have the capacity to love and be loved.  God's greatest desire is to have intimacy with us, and I believe that this is why He made us to be worshipers.  We might miss what is at the heart of worship without understanding the meaning of the language of Scripture.
 
Jonathan Cahn points out in his book, The Book of Mysteries, a Greek word found in the New Testament--proskuneo--which means "to kiss."  The intimacy of a kiss reminds us that worship is meant to be "the most intimate thing you can experience."  True worship is freely given and comes "from the overflow of your heart."  A kiss is an expression of love and joy.  When given to God, it is our way to worship Him and share in intimacy with Him.
 
Not only does God desire our worship/kisses, He desires to kiss us.  How does God kiss us?  He does it through His Word.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)  In her book, A Kiss a Day, Jamie Lash tells us, "According to rabbinic tradition, it is a living word of prophecy.  The Christian equivalent would be a rhema word."  When a specific Scripture comes alive to us and resonates in our inner most beings so that we know that God is speaking directly to us, we have been kissed by Him.
 
The Hebrew word nashaq (naw-shak) means kiss.  Its root is to equip with weapons, to arm.  So, when God kisses us through His Living Word not only is He showing us affection, but He is giving us direction and equipping us for the battles against the enemy.  Psalm 2 talks about the nations conspiring against God and gives a word of prophecy that He will send His Son who is meant to be kissed. (Verse 12) He will set a standard.  "I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler." (Isaiah 60:17)   
"Righteousness and peace kiss each other." (Psalm 85:10)  He is the Word and gives us kisses that bring life.  "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." (Deuteronomy 8:3)
 
The sweetest times with the Lord are when we exchange kisses--when worship from our hearts is alive and the Word of God is ministering to us.  It is the epitome of intimacy! Let us exchange kisses with the Lord.  His love is more delightful than wine. (Song of Solomon 1:2)