In last week’s lesson, focusing on Song of Solomon 5:6b-8, we discovered the truth that when God seems far away, when troubles come to us while seeking Him, even when we cry out, “Where are You God, why aren’t You here to protect me!” He’s already been there, calling out to us, but WE were the ones too busy to answer! So what do we do? We ask others for help and we keep searching! Let’s go to Song of Solomon 5:8,9 to find out what happens when we search:
“‘I beg you sisters in Jerusalem-if you find my lover, Please tell him I want him, that I’m heartsick with love for him.’ ‘What’s so great about your lover, fair lady? What’s so special about him that you beg for our help?'” (Song 5:8,9 THE MESSAGE)
When the woman in the story asked the “sisters of Jerusalem” for help to find her lover, they have a question of their own: “What’s so great about your lover, fair lady?” In other words, why do we need to help you look for this person? What’s so wonderful about Him anyway?
The secret to this entire dilemma can be found in the woman’s response:
“My dear lover glows with health – red-blooded, radiant! He’s one in a million. There’s no one quite like him! My golden one, pure and untarnished, with raven black curls tumbling across his shoulders. His eyes are like doves, soft and bright, but deep-set, brimming with meaning, like wells of water. His face is rugged, his beard smells like sage, His voice, his words, warm and reassuring. Fine muscles ripple beneath his skin, quiet and beautiful. His torso is the work of a sculptor, hard and smooth as ivory. He stands tall, like a cedar, strong and deep-rooted, A rugged mountain of a man, aromatic with wood and stone. His words are kisses, his kisses words. Everything about him delights me, thrills me through and through!” (THE MESSAGE)
When we really stop to think about what God is to us, the answer is quite amazing! He is our health (vs 10a), He is our One and only God (vs 10b), He is pure and sinless (vs 11), His voice is our assurance (vs 13), His love for us is deeper than anything we can compare it to (vs. 12), He is strong, yet He uses His strength for good things (vs. 14a), He is strongly rooted in Truth, Goodness, and Love (vs. 15a), He is steadfast (vs. 15b), and everything about Him thrills you (vs. 16)! And when we share this with others, it can be very life changing. Let’s look:
Sisters of Jerusalem: “So where has this love of yours gone, fair one?” (Song 6:1 THE MESSAGE) Woman: “Never mind. My lover is already on his way to his garden, to browse among the flowers, touching the colors and forms.” (Song 6:2 THE MESSAGE)
Wait a minute! Just a few seconds ago, she didn’t know where He was! She thought He was lost from her, she was even seeking help to find Him! And now she knows EXACTLY where He is! What happened? What made her change her mind?
It was the power of praise, friend! The person in this story spent a few minutes reflecting on WHO God IS. It put EVERYTHING back into perspective for her!
But wait a moment! The woman herself said, “But when I opened the door he was gone” (Song 5:6)! How can it be that she knows exactly where He is now? Let’s take a look at the 2nd verse of this chapter, the one that is so easily slipped over once you get into the story: “I was SOUND ASLEEP, but in my DREAMS I was wide awake . . .” (Song 5:2)
The entire story was nothing but a dream, friends! The fact that He was gone was only an illusion. The truth is, God NEVER leaves your side! When you feel that He has, it’s because of an illusion created by your emotions, your busyness, your circumstances or your inability to respond to Him when He reached out to you. The way to overcome this feeling of abandonment is to spend time meditating on WHO God really IS! When you do, you will be immediately overcome with the realization that God’s “disappearance” was NOTHING MORE THAN AN ILLUSION! He’s REALLY right there!
Enough to ponder for today. Please DO ponder this, my friends. Ponder the truth that God NEVER LEAVES YOU! When He seems far away, it’s only an illusion that you, yourself, create; and the best way to overpower that illusion is to praise God and reflect on who He really is!
This is the last lesson from LESSONS ON RELATIONSHIP FROM SOLOMON. We have taken a close look at the vital parts of the relationship: God’s part – How He sees us, how much He desires to be with us, how much He cares for our intimate thoughts and feelings, His gifts for us, and where He always is. We’ve discovered that we, too, have a part to play in the relationship: we must also DESIRE God, we must see Him as our dearest friend, we must want to spend private time with Him the way He longs to spend time with us, we must cry out to Him, and we must want to tell others about Him. And finally, we’ve discovered the truth about where God is when He seems far away. We’ve learned that when He seems far away, it’s nothing but an illusion. He’s called out to us, but we’ve not let Him in, and so He seems far away. The only way to break this cycle is through praise. Praise brings Truth back into perspective-the truth that God was NEVER far away!
I pray that this series has been instrumental in bringing you into a closer relationship with God. May He bless each of you as you draw closer to Him! If you are interested in a full Bible study on the subject of building a relationship with God, Please go to: www.Answers2Prayer.org/studies.html .
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.scripturalnuggets.org), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org .
(To access the entire “Lessons on Relationship From Solomon” mini-series, please click here.)