We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:8-13
8 The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. 9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. 10 My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; 11 for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. 12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. 13 The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Devotional Thought:
Spring is near and with it comes the warmth of the sun, the blooming of the flowers, and the bustling of new life. Creation points to the Creator, and it is a reminder of God’s love for all and God’s presence throughout the cosmos. These themes are found all through the Song of Solomon; it is a love song from God to us, revealing God’s glory and beckoning us toward God’s embrace. In our passage, God is presented as a gazelle, full of life and vigour, passionate and playful. This young buck peers through the window at his love, calling for her to come outside and frolic.
In the same way, God calls to each and every one of us. Many are unaware of God’s constant gaze, others are fearful of it, others answer the call of God with varying levels of commitment. As I ponder the words of our passage, I am reminded of how easy it is to keep God at arms length, to stay ‘safe’ in the warm, comfortable spiritual homes we have constructed for ourselves. But God wants more for us and invites us to a more dynamic relationship where we join in God’s mission in the world and in so doing, we experience the beauty, peace, joy, and love of God in deeper and more fulfilling ways.
Prayer:
Gracious loving God, Creator and Sustainer, don’t give up on us. Keep beckoning us to yourself. Continue to reveal yourself to us and open our eyes to see your beauty. Help us to move outside of our comfort zones and deeper into your love and give us a passion and desire for your Kingdom work. Amen
Rev Dr Rob A. Fringer
NTC Principal