Readings for today: Song of Songs 5:2-16, 6, 7, 8:14, Psalms 45
God is always knocking on the door of our hearts. I think of the well-known verse from Revelation 3:20, “See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him and he with me.” It’s an open invitation to experience deep fellowship with the Lord. Lesser known, but perhaps even more powerful when couched in the context of an erotic love poem, are the words from Song of Songs. “A sound! My love was knocking! Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my perfect one.” (Song of Songs 5:2 CSB) Here the groom comes for his bride. He comes to experience the deepest intimacy with his beloved. He longs to be with her but sadly, she refuses. She is already washed and ready for bed. She doesn’t want to be inconvenienced. Surely there is plenty of time tomorrow?
Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Nor is it guaranteed that God will stand at the door and knock forever. The bride finally decides to get up and answer the door but her love had turned away. He had gone. Her heart sank because he had left. In a panic, she rushes out to search for him. But she did not find him. She cries out to him but he does not answer. Those who do answer her cries beat and abuse her. They care nothing for her. Does any of this feel or sound familiar? How often do we treat our time with God as an inconvenience? How often do we prioritize other things? How often do we refuse to open the door when He knocks? And then what happens? What happens when our worldly priorities can’t satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts? What happens when the world beats us up and abuses us and leaves us hurting in the streets? What happens when God seems absent? Distant? Deaf to our cries? Are we willing to honestly confess our sins and take responsibility for our part in the relationship?
This principle applies to all our relationships in life. How often do our spouses knock on the door of our hearts? How often do our children cry out for our attention? How often do the people we love and live with and live among and work alongside express a need? Are we too busy to answer? Are we too wrapped up in ourselves to pay any attention? Are we in too much of a hurry to slow down and listen? Who is knocking on the door of your heart today?
Readings for tomorrow: Proverbs 1-4