“Night after night I’m tossing and turning on my bed of travail. Why did I let Him go from me? How my heart now aches for Him, but He is nowhere to be found! So I must rise in search of Him, looking throughout the city, seeking until I find Him. Even if I have to roam through every street, nothing will keep me from my search. Where is He—my soul’s true love? He is nowhere to be found. Then I encountered the overseers as they encircled the city. So I asked them, “Have you found Him— my heart’s true love?” Just as I moved past them, I encountered Him. I found the one I adore! I caught Him and fastened myself to Him, refusing to be feeble in my heart again. Now I’ll bring Him back to the temple within where I was given new birth— into my innermost parts, the place of my conceiving.”
Song of Songs 3:1-4 TPT
Have you wandered away from your First Love? No I’m not speaking of your boyfriend or girlfriend nor your current spouse, and neither is this text. I’m speaking to the backslider in heart. The heart whose body sits in the pew every Sunday, faithfully serving in the church but whose heart has grown cold in their love for Jesus.
The woman in this chapter has been awakened to her mistake. She’s now realizing that the ache and longing in her heart is for the One her soul once admired and clung to. She’s asking herself “ what have I done?” How could I have made such a decision to let my Love go from me? The sad thing is there are countless others like her. They have allowed their intimacy with Jesus to grow cold. He no longer has their heart. Are you this woman who represents the wayward bride of Christ? What stands out is that instead of being stuck in self pity and condemnation, she went in hot pursuit of Him.
She was desperate to reconnect with the Lover of her soul. Nothing was going to stop her pursuit of Him. She sought the help of others, but was not deterred by their indifference to her plight, she moved past them to find that He was not far away, but away from the distractions of the noise she encountered Him, her True Love. The overseers that encircled the city could well be religious folks looking on but offering little assistance. Sometimes we have to push through the noises in our heads to find or rediscover what we have given up of our relationship with Jesus Christ. He is never far away. We walk away, but He remains.
She continued, overjoyed and overwhelmed. I have found Him! I will never let Him go again! I will bring Him back to the place of honor, the place where we first met. I will not be feeble or double minded again. I will go back to the place of my new birth the place where I was conceived and given new life. The place where I experienced purified love. The place of exuberant joy. I have found Him, the One in whom my soul delights. This is what the prodigal experiences. Not the jeering of the enemy when we fail, but the sweet embrace of a Savior and Father who rejoices in our return. But don’t miss the fact that like the prodigal she came to her senses. She recognized that the joy was gone out of her life. Then she went in pursuit of Him.
If you’re in a backslidden state or have grown cold in your walk with Jesus, Let the words of this seeker stir up the cold embers of your soul. Remember what you once had with Him. Don’t let shame or guilt keep you away. She certainly did not. He said “if you seek for Me with your whole heart, you’ll find Me.” Jeremiah 29:13. This pursuit ended with her saying, “ I fastened myself to Him. I clung desperately to Him. This was a life revived and refreshed. The Father desires that we be hot or cold. Not lukewarm. There’s no lukewarmness here. This was mission accomplished. I pursued, I found and I clung. Vowing never to make the same mistake again. Are you there yet my backslidden friend? Are you missing Him yet? Are you recalling the sweetness of His embrace, the kisses of heaven? The fragrance of His presence? Nothing or no one satisfies like Jesus. This daughter found that out.
Please come home. You were worth dying for. He never abandoned or forgot about you. You are always on His mind. As she pushed through the crowd she found Him waiting. He didn’t spurn her, He went back with her to the place where they first met. Hallelujah! The peace and joy brought her so much rest that we read. The Lover of our souls gave orders that she not be disturbed until she awakens naturally. She’s not to be frightened from sleep.
“Promise me, O Jerusalem maidens, by the gentle gazelles and delicate deer, that you’ll not disturb My love until she is ready to arise.”
Song of Songs 3:5 TPT
The Lord awaits her awakening because He is going to demonstrate to a critical world that she is indeed His, that He’s forever married to the backslider. He throws a feast upon our return. The marriage vows are renewed. We’re forever His.
“Who is this one ascending from the wilderness in the pillar of the glory cloud? He is fragrant with the anointing oils of myrrh and frankincense— more fragrant than all the spices of the merchant. Look! It is the King’s marriage carriage. The love seat surrounded by sixty champions, the mightiest of Israel’s host, are like pillars of protection. They are angelic warriors standing ready with swords to defend the King and His bride from every terror of the night. The King made this mercy seat for Himself out of the finest wood that will not decay. Pillars of smoke, like silver mist— a canopy of golden glory dwells above it. The place where they sit together is sprinkled with crimson. Love and mercy cover this carriage, blanketing His tabernacle throne. The King Himself has made it for those who will become His bride.”
Song of Songs 3:6-10 TPT
I pray you’re catching this. No mention of her past mistakes and failures. No mention of her backsliding, only purified love and grace. Who wouldn’t want to return? The religious folks writes us off. Our Lover throws a party. Heaven celebrates what the Church discards. Shout backslider, God is waiting for you to wake up! The marriage of restored fellowship awaits. You pursued Him and you found Him. Now mercy clothes you like a bride adorned for her bridegroom. Why would you stay away a minute longer? Heaven is waiting to defend you against your critics. Don’t look at them, look toward the One your soul loves. Return, He’s coming to meet you like the prodigal son’s Father ran to meet him. He doesn’t care what you smell like, His fragrance will cover you. Awaken now to His embrace. Welcome home..welcome back.
Holy Father my heart burns and longs for You. Thank You for always welcoming us home. We may forget You, but you have tattooed us on the palm of Your hands. How sweet is Your awakening. You create the leanest to arouse us to Your love for us. Thank you Jesus that Your blood is a strong today as it was over three thousand years ago. My forever Bridegroom and Lover of my soul, I pursue You until we’re one again. Thank you for welcoming me home. In Jesus Name. Amen
As you draw near to Me, your Bridegroom King, your heart swells with expectancy and faith.You no longer stare at the beauty of your bridal gown, but your gaze becomes consumed with the brilliance of My face. Come into my cloud filled chamber, and I will cause My goodness to pass before your eyes...Morning whispers by B. Simmons
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant