Thurs.’s Devo - Return to Me.

Read: Song of Songs 5:1-8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 22:24-25 Jesus, the young man opens with proclaiming that he is going to his garden to gather spices and enjoy his honey and wine. He does this alone while Israel sleeps, She hears his call in the night but she is burdened down with life and doesn’t respond until it is too late. That was Israel’s story all throughout the Bible. God would send prophets to wake them up but they would wait until their enemies were upon them and even then, sometimes they would not return to the Lord. *** The woman who is Israel remembers who her God is and describes him in detail. She does know where to find her Savior. He is in the garden, where he never left, waiting for her to come to him. That is Jesus at the door of our heart waiting patiently for us to invite him in to speak with us and be our Savior. *** He describes his bride as a beautiful, strong woman. *** She goes to see if there is hope and is encouraged by the women of Jerusalem to return to her lover. That was the word of the prophets over and over, “Return to the Lord”. *** Once again the man comes to see his bride and observe if she is mature and ready to give him her heart. *** She knows that he claims her as his own just like Israel knows they are God’s chosen people. She is ready to give him her love. She is also ready to share his love with those coming behind her. *** In the end, Jesus says, you talk to everyone else, I long to hear you talk to me. She responds by wanting to go away with him. May that be our response also. *** Israel as a nation will one day come back to Jesus and acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. *** Paul encourages the believers in Corinth to continue to give. They had promised to give a large amount to the churches in Jerusalem which were in great need. Paul doesn’t want them to renege on their offer. He sends some of his helpers ahead to preach about the blessing and responsibility we have to give. *** Giving is like a water wheel that keeps coming back with more water. Whatever you give gets multiplied and sent right back. *** Lord, help us to be cheerful givers.