In Song of Solomon, the Shulamite bride longs to hear her beloved’s voice and for her beloved to come, reciting, “O you who sit in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice— let me hear it! Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices” (SS 8:13-14).
Do you, O Christian, long to hear Jesus’ voice? Do you call to him as did Solomon’s bride for Solomon? We all should daily be listening for the Lord to speak to us. Cease your striving and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). We are His sheep, and His sheep know His voice (Jn. 10:4), thus, “today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Ps. 95:7-8).
Similarly, do you yearn for His return? If not, why not? Are you so attached to this world that you do not see the glory He has planned for us? May it never be! For we know that, if we love this world, the love of the Father is not in us (1 Jn. 2:15). For this world offers only the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15). No, we seek a better country, a heavenly one (Heb. 11:16). We are merely pilgrims here. Therefore, we should pray as did John, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).
Let us fix our focus on the heavenly, and earnestly seek His voice and desire His return, living by faith while we yet wander as aliens in a foreign land (Heb. 11:9).
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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions
Evening, October 30
"Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to Thy voice: cause me to hear it." Song of Solomon 8:13
My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although He has left that garden, He now dwells in the garden of His church: there He unbosoms Himself to those who keep His blessed company. That voice of love with which He speaks to His beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Tens of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys! It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear Thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved Thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, "I am thy salvation." No other voice can content me; I know Thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what Thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear Thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless Thee for it. Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear Thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with Thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to Thy calls. Tonight, Lord, grant Thine unworthy one his desire, for I am Thine, and Thou hast bought me with Thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see Thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open Thou mine ear. I have read Thy heart, now let me hear Thy lips.
In Song of Solomon, the Shulamite bride longs to hear her beloved’s voice and for her beloved to come, reciting, “O you who sit in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice— let me hear it! Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices” (SS 8:13-14).
Do you, O Christian, long to hear Jesus’ voice? Do you call to him as did Solomon’s bride for Solomon? We all should daily be listening for the Lord to speak to us. Cease your striving and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). We are His sheep, and His sheep know His voice (Jn. 10:4), thus, “today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Ps. 95:7-8).
Similarly, do you yearn for His return? If not, why not? Are you so attached to this world that you do not see the glory He has planned for us? May it never be! For we know that, if we love this world, the love of the Father is not in us (1 Jn. 2:15). For this world offers only the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15). No, we seek a better country, a heavenly one (Heb. 11:16). We are merely pilgrims here. Therefore, we should pray as did John, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).
Let us fix our focus on the heavenly, and earnestly seek His voice and desire His return, living by faith while we yet wander as aliens in a foreign land (Heb. 11:9).
——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions
Evening, October 30
"Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to Thy voice: cause me to hear it." Song of Solomon 8:13
My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although He has left that garden, He now dwells in the garden of His church: there He unbosoms Himself to those who keep His blessed company. That voice of love with which He speaks to His beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Tens of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys! It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear Thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved Thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, "I am thy salvation." No other voice can content me; I know Thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what Thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear Thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless Thee for it. Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear Thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with Thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to Thy calls. Tonight, Lord, grant Thine unworthy one his desire, for I am Thine, and Thou hast bought me with Thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see Thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open Thou mine ear. I have read Thy heart, now let me hear Thy lips.
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