Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him. I will get up now and go about the city, through its street and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him. The watchmen found me as they made their rounds in the city. “Have you seen the one my heart loves?” Scarcely I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me. Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
– Song of Songs 3:1-5 (NIV)
Devotion
Many Bible scholars agree that, in this passage, the girl was recalling a dream that caused her to become so burdened about her lover’s whereabouts that she got up in the middle of the night to search for him. She left the comfort and security of her home and searched, at night, for him in the city. When you truly love someone, you will do everything possible to ensure the safety of that person and care for his or her needs. The watchmen were unable to help her, but she didn’t give up and eventually found him and wouldn’t let him go. Afterward, the girl gave her usual counsel to the daughters of Jerusalem to let God direct their lives and not run ahead of His will.
The Big Question
Can you recall a time when you made a decision out of your own comfort or security due to self-centeredness? What were the results? Now can you remember a time when you sacrificed your own needs for someone you truly love? How has that impacted your relationship with that person? Jesus gave up his own comfort and security for us. What does this passage tell you about how God feels about you?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence reflecting on what you have learned.