Evening, February 3
Go To Morning Reading
“Tell me ... where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest
at noon.”
Song of Solomon 1:7
These words express the desire of the believer after Christ, and his
longing for present communion with him. Where doest thou feed thy
flock? In thy house ? I will go, if I may find thee there. In private prayer ? Then I will pray without ceasing. In the Word ? Then I will read it diligently. In thine ordinances ? Then I will walk in them with all my heart. Tell me where thou feedest,
for wherever thou standest as the Shepherd, there will I lie down
as a sheep; for none but thyself can supply my need. I cannot be satisfied
to be apart from thee. My soul hungers and thirsts for the refreshment
of thy presence. “Where dost thou make thy flock to rest at noon?” for whether at dawn or at noon, my only rest must be where thou art
and thy beloved flock. My soul’s rest must be a grace-given rest, and can only be found in thee.
Where is the shadow of that rock? Why should I not repose beneath
it? “Why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?” Thou hast companions—why should I not be one? Satan tells me I am unworthy; but I always
was unworthy, and yet thou hast long loved me; and therefore my unworthiness
cannot be a bar to my having fellowship with thee now. It is true
I am weak in faith, and prone to fall, but my very feebleness is the
reason why I should always be where thou feedest thy flock, that I
may be strengthened, and preserved in safety beside the still waters.
Why should I turn aside? There is no reason why I should, but there
are a thousand reasons why I should not, for Jesus beckons me to come.
If he withdrew himself a little, it is but to make me prize his presence
more. Now that I am grieved and distressed at being away from him,
he will lead me yet again to that sheltered nook where the lambs of
his fold are sheltered from the burning sun.