“I sleep but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh…” Song of Solomon 5:2
There is a great hymn written by Dora Greenwell, two stanzas of which are the following: “And oh, that He fulfilled may see The travail of His soul in me, And with His work contented be, As I with my dear Savior. Yes, living, dying, let me bring My strength, my solace from this spring, That He who lives to be my King, Once died to be my Savior.” What is Mrs. Greenwell seeking to communicate by this hymn? Firstly, that it is possible to have a profound, and very personal relationship with God, with Christ. She then conveys to us the basis for that relationship, and the essence of it. It is founded on the finished work of Christ on the cross. Also, the only word that can truly convey the meaning of this relationship is love, the love of God first and foremost, and then the response of love by the Spirit in the life of the believer. The hymn reveals the great desire of the believer when Mrs. Greenwall writes: “Oh, that He fulfilled may see, the travail of His soul in me.” Herein is the great motive for living, to please the God of goodness and grace, who has won the heart and soul of the believer by His suffering and death, that he should truly know God. It is during this time on earth that the believer has the opportunity to give back something of that which was given to him which is daily supplied to him by the Spirit. The final words of the hymn reveal the means by which a life well-pleasing to God can be realized. She writes: “Yes, living, dying, let me bring My strength, my solace from this spring, That He who lives to be my King, Once died to be my Savior.”
What then can be our confidence that we are living in such a manner worthy of Christ, and certainly living in the profound fellowship with Him that He has died, and lives, to give us? The answer lies in the time that it takes to hear the voice of the Beloved and reaching the door, to give Him access to the heart. In the book of the Song of Solomon, we find a beautiful picture of the relationship between a bride, and her beloved. There is no doubt that she belongs to him, and him to her. However, something is not right in this relationship as we see the beloved, a shepherd, out in the valleys, on the mountains, in his gardens, tending and caring for his sheep. Certainly, He is seeking other sheep, some that are wandering or lost in the wilds. However, when we see his bride, she is behind closed doors, her walls, secure and satisfied with the blessings of her Beloved, but not venturing forth to be WITH Him. We see something that is lacking in their relationship when he comes to visit, to see her. His vision for fellowship with her is so far greater than her small world. But if she would know His, then she must forsake hers. The problem is that she has settled down, safe and satisfied, not realizing that she has forfeited close and profound true fellowship with her beloved. The beloved comes to the door and knocks by speaking to her. Her heart hears his voice. She is drawn towards him, but she is too comfortable to go to the door, as she declares, “I have put off my coat,” and “washed her feet.” When the beloved reaches for the latch of the door, it is locked from within. When the bride hears the hand of the beloved on the latch, she is moved to rise and go to the door, although her hands drip with myrrh. When she finally comes to the door, and opens it, her beloved is gone.
One’s joyful, and immediate response to the voice of Christ, is the key and proof of fellowship.
Dear Father, Quicken us to respond. In Jesus’ name, Amen.