My Beloved. Come to my banqueting table set for you. My sacrifice of Divine Love is before you in my blood and my body. A holy feast for you. Take and savor this sacrament as food for your soul. As you eat and drink, we become one as My Father and I are one. You, My Beloved, are mine.
The Shulamite now recognizes that the Good Shepherd is the reigning King over all creation. And impetuously accepts the invitation to the banqueting table. Her eyes wide and awed by the lavish provision of decadent, rich food. Certainly, enough food to satisfy her every need. The banqueting table set with royal place settings trimmed in gold. Her eyes flooded by the refinement before her. The room is filled with extravagant praise for the King. Her voice joins the throng, praising the King in spirit and truth flawlessly expressing love and deep adoration to her Beloved King.
The Country Girl’sbheart thrills at his Kingly presence at this spiritual feast. She is filled with joy divine and desires this intimate communion with the King more than anything.
The Lord sought her and found her. He chose her to join him in this beautiful place. Her heart is full like never before. Something special transpires at this communion table.
The worship in her heart is like spikenard to her Lover King, reminiscent of his death on the cruel cross.
She declares, “My Beloved, you are a bundle of myrrh that I hold forever close to my heart.” The scent ever reminding her of his sacrificial death for her. A breast plate of faith and love.
The King is Everything
She recognizes for the first time that he is truly everything she has been looking for. He suffered and died for her. She was bought with a price. Now she see’s life from a new spiritual vista of loving lenses provided by her beloved Savoir. The reality that in order to be with him forever it may cost something. Although she’s not quite sure what the Lover of her soul will require compliance would be the only way. The only choice is to move forward.
She boldly declares her love to Jesus. “My Beloved, you are like henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi.” She knew that he would understand the meaning: Jewish maidens used henna for adornment, and they symbolized atonement. Christ has atoned her.
En Gedi is where David fled from King Saul. He was hidden like the blooms in the vineyard. Safe from Saul. Now she sees herself hidden with Christ in God. Safe from Satan’s schemes. Clothed with Christ, an outward expression the for the world to see. She boldly confesses that Christ is hers.
The King’s Whisper
You are most beautiful and fair. Lovely to behold. Your eyes are like the dove focused on me alone. I know the plans I have for you, My Beloved. They are good, filled with hope and a bright future. I have atoned you with my blood shed for you on the cross. Your sins forgiven. Trust me on our journey ahead. Cling to me, the Lover of your soul.
The Shulamite is overcome in her spirit. “You, My Beloved King are altogether delightful, magnificent, and fascinating. You are absolutely the best. There is none like you.
“Your love is evergreen and fresh for all eternity. Never growing old, but always exactly what I need. Our house is built of Cedar and cypress, expensive, strong and stately like the wood used in Solomon’s Holy Temple, God’s habitation on earth. In you I find spiritual rest and complete contentment.”
Scriptures for Today
“But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8 NLT).
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV).
Prayer for You Today
Child of God, may you know your divine value: costly, precious, unique, and delightful to the Christ the King who created and bought you with his blood on the cross. Amen.
© 2024 Nanette M. Holloway—All Rights Reserved
Do you need a new devotional. How about Finding Delight in the Vineyard?
The goal for all of us … “In you I find spiritual rest and complete contentment.” A lovely post.
Yes, RJ that is our goal as Jesus followers