At the beginning of the month, in “Unveiling the Song of Solomon, Part 6”, we saw that sometimes we fall into a spiritual slumber. Though we should always be alert, Jesus still comes to us in our slumber! What is our response? Do we put aside the things that are putting us into that spiritual “sleep”? Or have we become complacent?
We saw that the woman in the story, the woman who represents each of us, has become complacent. She doesn’t wish to get out of bed, and when she eventually does go to open the door, her lover is gone (See Song of Solomon 5:4-6).
No matter how ardent followers of Christ we are, there will be times when we, like this woman, will fall into a spiritual slumber; times when we, like this woman, will not want to get up to let Jesus in. Nevertheless, the woman’s response should be an example to us all: “I searched for him…” (Song of Solomon 5:6b NLT)
Yes, the problem was caused by us. Yes, we were the complacent ones. Nonetheless, when we find ourselves in this situation, there is only one course of action: We must humbly seek the Lord!
Unfortunately, her search was in vain: “…but could not find him anywhere. I called to him, but there was no reply.” (Song of Solomon 5:6c NLT)
And that may very well be the result of our search as well. This must have been so disheartening for her! We all know what it is like to seek the Lord and come up dry! It leaves us wondering if He cares, if He’s really there at all!
Then the unthinkable happened: “The night watchmen found me as they made their rounds. They beat and bruised me and stripped off my veil, those watchmen on the walls.” (Song of Solomon 5:7 NLT)
You see, Jesus isn’t the only one acutely aware of our spiritual slumber. Our adversary, the devil, the one who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour (See 1 Peter 5:8). And just like the watchmen on the wall beat and bruised the woman in the story, when the devil finds us unaccompanied by our Lord and Saviour, he also has no pity. He wants nothing more than to pull us away from God! This will happen, friends! It is the natural result of letting come between us and our Lord!
What will our response be?
I have communicated with many in this situation. Hey, I’ve been there many times as well! And the #1 human response is this: “I’m seeking God, I’m doing my part, and this is what happens to me! I’m better off not seeking Him at all!”
The woman in the story, however, remembered something that we would all do well to remember: The reason we are seeking God is because we didn’t respond to Him when He came to us! Our response needs to be as hers was: “Make this promise, O women of Jerusalem—If you find my lover, tell him I am weak with love.” (Song of Solomon 5:8 NLT).
Notice that she doesn’t give up her search. Notice that she doesn’t turn against him. Notice that she doesn’t even get angry at him! Rather, she turns to those looking on and says, in essence, “hey, when you see my lover, just tell him I’m soooo in love with him!”
What a powerful example of how we should relate to the Love of our souls: It isn’t our place to be angry with Him! We caused the problem in the first place! Instead, we need to turn to those around us (and may we all be encircled with other Christians who can hold us up in such times!), “Please tell Jesus how much I love Him!”
But that isn’t all. As you read on through the rest of chapter 5, you notice that the woman begins to praise her missing lover. She tells everyone about how wonderful He is — even though He is missing! – “My lover is dark and dazzling,better than ten thousand others!…His arms are like rounded bars of gold, set with beryl. His body is like bright ivory, glowing with lapis lazuli….His mouth is sweetness itself; he is desirable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend.” (Song of Solomon 5:10, 14, 16 NLT).
The story then continues into chapter 6, when the woman is asked where her lover has gone. Remember now, she was searching for him! But after spending several verses lavishing him with praise, she realizes where he is: “My lover has gone down to his garden, to his spice beds, to browse in the gardens and gather the lilies. I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine. He browses among the lilies.” (Song of Solomon 6:2-3 NLT).
Does God appear to be “missing”? Does He not seem to be responding to your call? Why not follow the example of this woman in the Song of Solomon and spend some time praising Him and sharing Him with others? You will be amazed at how your focus realigns itself!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
(To access the entire “Unveiling the Song of Solomon” mini-series, click here)
