Seeking Rest of the Soul in Communion with Christ

Seeking Rest of the Soul in Communion with Christ | Devotional

Where do you pasture your flock, where do you make it lie down at noon? (Song of Solomon 1:7)

These words express the desire of the believer for Christ and his desire for present communion with Him. Where do you pasture your flock? In Your house?

I will go there if I will find You there. In private prayer? Then I will pray without ceasing. In the Word? Then I will read it diligently. In Your ordinances? Then I will walk in them with all my heart.

Tell me where You feed, for wherever You stand as the Shepherd, there I will lie down as a sheep, for no one except You can supply my need. I cannot be satisfied to be apart from You. My soul hungers and thirsts for the refreshment of Your presence.

Where do you make it lie down at noon? Whether at dawn or at noon, my only rest must be where You and Your beloved flock are. My soul’s rest must be a grace-given rest, and it can only be found in You.

Where is the shadow of that rock? Why should I not rest beneath it? Why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions? (Song of Solomon 1:7).

You have companions; why should I not be one? Satan tells me I am unworthy, but I was always unworthy, and yet You have long loved me.

Therefore, my unworthiness cannot be a hindrance to my having fellowship with You now.

It is true that I am weak in faith and prone to fall, but my very feebleness is the reason why I should always be where You feed Your flock, that I may be strengthened and cared for in safety beside the still waters.

Why should I turn aside? There is no reason why I should, but there are a thousand reasons why I should not – for Jesus calls me to come. If He withdraws Himself a little, it is only to make me treasure His presence more.

Now that I am grieved and distressed at being away from Him, He will lead me yet again to that sheltered refuge where the lambs of His fold are sheltered from the burning sun.