In this ongoing series, we will be looking
closely at what lessons we can learn from Solomon about how to have the kind of
relationship with God that He desires for us to have. I urge you to take the
time to meditate upon each Truth presented; to ask God to make each lesson REAL
to you and to take quiet time to prayerfully ponder each point and what it means
to YOU! To visit the archive of past LESSONS ON RELATIONSHIP FROM SOLOMON,
please see www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons/folder_3/lessons_on_relationship_from_solomon
Lessons on Relationships From Solomon, Lesson 20
Unit 3: The Truth About Where God Is
Part 2: How to Find God
Tell me Where You are Working
In last week's Lessons on Relationships from Solomon we learned that when we
don't feel like God is there, that's when we become so focused on circumstance
that we can't sense His presence. However, when things are the darkest and
coldest in our lives, that's when Jesus is right there, "nightly strolling
in our garden", calling out to us, "Winter is over. Come to me!"
Let's stop focusing on circumstances. Instead, let's listen for His voice and
accept His offer to give it all to Him. Then we, too, will feel the security,
the love and the support. We, too, will no longer notice the wintery blasts,
because with Jesus, our Spring has truly arrived! But how do we move beyond
those circumstances? How can we feel close to God again? Let's look at Song of
Solomon 1:7:
"Tell me where you're working - I love you so much - Tell me where
you're tending your flocks, where you let them rest at noontime. Why should I be
the one left out, outside the orbit of your tender care?" (Song of
Solomon 1:7) (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by
Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)
Does this sound familiar to anyone? You attempt to interact with God, but you're
not quite sure just where He is. You desire to find Him, but you don't feel His
presence close to you. You see other Christians enjoying a relationship with
Him, but you feel yours is lacking something. Just like the woman in the Song of
Solomon, your heart cries out: "Why should I be the one left out, outside
the orbit of your tender care?"
Friend, you can't seek Jesus if you don't realize that there is no closeness
with Him. An important step in pursuing a personal relationship with Him is to
recognize when you don't feel close to Him. Only then can your cry be: "Tell
me where you're working - I love you so much - Tell me where you're tending your
flocks, where you let them rest at noontime."
Enough to ponder for today. Please DO ponder this though, my friends. Ponder the
truth that when God seems like He's answering everyone except you, there is
something you can do. The first step is to identify that He seems far away, and
the second step is the cry out to Him: "Tell me where you are working .
. . Tell me where you are tending your flocks!"
Please join us next Saturday for Lessons on Relationships From Solomon, Lesson
21 to find out how God responds to this cry!
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.sermonillustrator.org/minisermons ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org .