Ascending From The Desert

“The bride says, ‘Who is this coming out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the merchant’s fragrant powders?  Behold, it is Solomon’s couch with sixty valiant men around it, of the valiant of Israel’” (Song of Songs 3:6,7).

Hey Gang:  When was the last time you read Song of Solomon?  I must admit it has been a spell since I did, but, in our work with Voice of Martyrs, we were introduced to a book by Richard Wurmbrand, founder of VOM, titled The Midnight Bride. This is a Devotional Journey through the Song of Solomon with the  Persecuted Church and their Bridegroom, Messiah.

Although each devotional is inspirational in nature, one day was of special interest to me because it talked about a place we have been privileged to visit we have visited Israel, the Arabah or desert.  

 I must admit that on my first several visits, the desert looked like so much sand. And then one day a guy showed up to volunteer at Tel Tamar who happened to be an entomologist.

In one short walk into the desert, he showed me the desert was not in fact as arid as people believed; thousands of different plants thrive there.  He also showed me that what characterizes these plants is great adaptability and, without it, they would soon perish under the harsh conditions.

Wumbrant wrote, “What a marvelous sight it must have been for the people of Israel when they came from wandering in the desert to the land of milk and honey.  It is the same when a soul returns to God from the desert of this world and cleaves to Jesus, thereby entering a state of grace, and the bride is brought to the bridegroom.”

We have learned that many persecuted Christians thrive in their desert- prison.  One, who had spent many years in prison wrote, “The dungeon became to me as it were a palace, so that I preferred being there to being elsewhere.”  Wow!  What say ye to that?

Soooo.  Do not be fearful of dry times in your spiritual life.  Tap into the Bridegroom, seeking only His living water and you will thrive. 

Blessings,

Gramps