The Wonder of God's Desire

One Wednesday night on my way to attend a mid-week church service, I sensed a strong drawing to be alone with Jesus. I was early so slipped into the prayer room. Alone on my knees, I simply quietly enjoyed His presence. Soon I heard the congregation singing, and I began thinking that I should join the others. While trying to decide if I should leave the prayer room, I heard the Spirit say, "I want you to Myself."

Each of the three times in the Song of Songs the words "Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires" are spoken, they are in the context of the Shulammite delighting in the presence of her Lover. John Wesley commented on this verse, "Do not disturb nor offend Him." We may be tempted to not linger in Jesus' presence but to get on with business as usual. There are times, though, that He wants us to Himself. The blessing of our union with Him is sweet communion. 

If He leaves, the fault is always ours. Our less-than-enthusiastic affections may cause the same effect as when the multitude asked Jesus to depart: "So he got into the boat and left" (Luke 8:37). 

It is impossible for us to understand how much God longs for our fellowship. His heart so longed for us to be able to draw near Him at any time that, amazingly, He willingly paid the price--His only Son. Could this be the meaning behind Isaiah 53:10 that speaks of Jesus' suffering: "Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and to cause him to suffer"?

These words make sense only when we understand that they express God's intense longing to have us near Him. Our nearness is so precious to Him that He paid the ultimate price for it. Yet, too often, do we treat Him as an optional part of our day?

Dear Father, I want to honor the blood Jesus shed and Your love by confidently entering Your presence and then taking time to be alone with You.

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence" (Ephesians 3:12).