Read: Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 22:24-25
The Shulamite and the lover have an intimate union in the garden at a banquet and then she falls. That is the way it seems to be after a great spiritual victory. The devil comes in like a lion to try to steal our joy and our victory.
We have the woman’s third charge to the daughters of Jerusalem. She tells them if they find her beloved, to tell him that she is lovesick for him. She describes him in the most intimate way to her maidens. She knows that she can find him in the garden of spices. He is there pondering her and the things he loves about her. Her maidens beg her to return to him and she does. He sees her coming back and is overwhelmed by her beauty. She gives her fourth charge to her maidens: Do not stir up nor awaken love until it pleases. She is now ready for mature love and they come out of the wilderness clinging equally to one another. For the first time, the Shulamite finds beauty in how God has made her. She sees her own vineyard and takes responsibility to the next generation to teach them how to love. She is now able to give all she has away.
Paul boasts of the Corinthians in the same way. They have been mature in their giving and sacrifice. He gives a very wise statement: “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly.” The way we should give is cheerfully. That is how God gave his son.
The way we give is a pretty good indication of how mature we are becoming. Our stuff is many times what gets in the way of us totally surrendering to the Lord. I know it does in my life.
Lord, help us to give as you did. Thank you for your love and your sacrifice that we might come out of our wilderness leaning on you.
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