“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dear Ones:
Solomon was a very wise man, one who could summarize the ebb and flow of life in a very few words. And so he did in the book of Ecclesiastes. Now, we must ask the question: “Why did God lead Solomon to pen this book, and its antithesis, in the book of the Song of Solomon?” Both books deal with reality, one from a very objective look at man from a less than faith-filled perspective of the mercy and grace of God. The other is a look at the beauty of what profound fellowship with God in Christ should be, where “I am His, and He is mine.”
The problem with both of these perspectives is the context in which both are to be lived and experienced. We are apt to think that “a time of war” refers primarily to a conflict between nations or peoples. But, as James points out in his letter, the conflict begins in the heart, with desires, or “lusts (wrong desires in the sight of God). These selfish desires lead to personal conflicts which lead to war. However, there is another “war,” beyond ourselves, which has to do with that which is in opposition to “good desires,” that which is right and just, in the sight of God. It is concerning this conflict that we must take a real and earnest look.
First of all, we know that this conflict is a spiritual one, with spiritual enemies. Paul calls them, “…principalities, powers, the rulers of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12) These are very real invisible forces which oppose that which is good and right. This “news” would be very disconcerting indeed considering our feeble and failing resources, were it not for the fact that Christ on the Cross, “…having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15) In light of this reality, we are called to go to war, not with “flesh and blood” necessarily, but taking our stand against, and overcoming, that which is not of God, that which opposes the advancement of the kingdom of God, and the doing of His will.
There is another aspect of this “warfare” that must considered, and it is referenced in the Song of Solomon. We have a picture of the Bride of Solomon coming up from the wilderness, carried on a bed, or reclining couch. Here is the object of Solomon’s affection, the one that he will keep and protect at all costs, hence, there are “…threescore (sixty) valiant man,” all holding swords, to protect her. Is it not so with the child of God, who belongs to Christ? There shall be nothing that can separate her from the love of God. But, this knowledge, and truth, shall be opposed. Indeed, all that concerns her will be opposed, especially the love relationship between her and her Beloved. Ultimately, it is this communion, this fellowship that must be guarded against every foe. For, it was in order to provide for this calling, this communion, that the Captain of our salvation, overcame all of our enemies. What then is the application of these truths to our lives?
Aloneness, and personal worship of Christ, of God, is the principle duty and privilege of the believer. This will ever be opposed by the enemy, as it is key in order to maintain communion with Christ. All through the teachings of Christ, and subsequently through those of the Apostle Paul, we find the concept of oneness in Christ, by the Spirit. But how is this to be “used,” employed in our everyday living? By ever pursuing our fellowship with the Lover of our Souls, the One who has loved us and gave Himself for us. For this, in the real context of “warfare” in which we live, we must understand that this objective is not easy, but can be realized. Christ can be to us, all to us, “in every way we go.” Fellowship is key to living that oneness, this victorious life IN Christ.
Dear Father, You who teach our hands to war, enable us to learn well the lessons of this conflict, that we too may overcome the resistance and opposition of the enemy, to glorify Thee. Strengthen us through and through by Thy Spirit, to pursue this blessed fellowship with Thyself, meeting Thee in the aloneness, and also, with like-minded brethren. We praise and thank Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad