When we depart from the wilderness, we emerge more ascended, anointed, transformed—stronger in the Lord to re-encounter the world in new ways (Song 3:6).
When it comes to wildernesses, we often think of the Israelites’ 40-year journey out of Egypt. But I submit to you the Shulamite woman in King Solomon’s “Song of Songs:”
Having met her bridegroom-King’s loving grace in her wilderness, this Shulamite woman, who didn’t feel radiant at all at the outset, came to know the Lord more in the deep places of her heart before she met Him on the mountaintop of her high calling.
What we can easily miss in her journey (and in the Israelites’), however, is that God’s promises were available to her all along, since He was her first place of promise. In His presence are His promises.
He responded to her invitations.
He knew her heart.
He did not give up on her.
He believed in her.
As with the Shulamite woman, God believes in us and comes to us joyfully, desiring we receive Him and His abundant blessings (Song 2:8).
As believers, His promises are inside of us.
As followers, His promises are not a far-off land.
Past her reticent fear, even through the dark night of the Shulamite woman’s soul, all the way into the increased establishment of her high calling, God worked with her to fulfill His promises to her—first inwardly, then outwardly.
Incrementally.
Across her mountain of hindrance awaited her greatest realization of this truth. But, until then, just like with the Israelites, God’s glory and promises showed up for the Shulamite woman, inviting her to grow in His greater fruitfulness as she yielded her heart to Him.
I’ve come to know Him in this process.
I hope you have, too.
Our truest dreams are His promises revealed (Gen. 28:15-16).
“So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises!” (Heb. 10:23, TPT).
This Valentine’s Day, may we be reminded of our bridegroom-King’s everlasting love for us by experiencing a profoundly intimate touch of His truth in a new way.
May He deliver us from the common things into the uncommon, the promises fulfilled that require our action of His great faith in us to meet His loving grace for us—in His best plan.
May we say “yes” to our Lord’s invitation to follow Him into His tangible promises—unafraid.
Are we willing to venture with Him?
“Listen! I hear my lover’s voice. I know it’s Him coming to me—leaping with joy over mountains, skipping in love over the hills that separate us, to come to me” (Song 2:8, TPT). {eoa}
Margaret D. Mitchell is the founder of God’s Love at Work, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that champions Christian women and their outreach in the world with the love of Jesus Christ. Follow her revelatory writings at godsloveatwork.com and margaretdmitchell.com.
This article originally appeared at margaretdmitchell.com.
