The Shulamite has just experienced being brought into the King’s chambers, the innermost place, far away from all other loves, where she freely enjoyed her Beloved in deep communion. It is after her chamber experience that she declares, “we will rejoice in You and be glad.” Psalm 16:11 says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand are pleasures forever.” It is in the chambers of our King, our Beloved, that we come to know true and lasting joy.
Have you ever been feeling down, discouraged, and life seems overwhelming; those times when our circumstances almost seem bigger than our God? And then all of a sudden you are overcome by His presence and His peace as the Beloved reveals His love to your heart and assures you of His faithfulness as He declares over you, “My delight in is you, My desire is for you.” And even though your circumstances have not changed, just experiencing His love in His presence brings a new confidence and joy to your heart. And what seemed so insurmountable a moment ago now has a new perspective in the light of His goodness. While this type of encounter is not always in “the King’s chambers” yet we discover that it is not our circumstances or what we do in life that brings us lasting joy, but it is communing with Him in His presence that is the source of our peace and deepest joy.
We are living in times when the nations are facing crisis in every arena; financially, morally, economically, and spiritually. And if you really believe what the Bible says, there is coming a day when the King is going to shake everything that can be shaken. Have we prepared ourselves for the season that is upon us? Do we really have a sustaining joy that is rooted in Him? Do we find our security in Him or in our own resources? Have we been lulled into spiritual sleep by the entertainment of the world? Do we comfort one another with soothing words that all is OK? I believe the Lord would say that all is not OK. 1 Peter 4:17-18 says “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey God. And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is being saved, what will become of the Godless man and the sinner?”
We need to ask the Lord to draw us away after Him, let Him take us into His chambers where our heart can be grounded in the depths of His love and know His everlasting peace and inexpressible joy. We must have these encounters so we can come to know the depths of His passions for us as our Bridegroom God and not become offended at Him when circumstances in life don’t turn out as we think they should. We need to have these deep encounters so that our entire being becomes infused with our Beloved and we can say “we will extol, remember, Your love more than wine” that is, more than all the pleasures this world can offer. Then when we are faced with temptations, trails, or economic crisis, it will be the remembrance of our intimate chamber experiences with our Beloved that will keep us steady and faithful to Him. The remembrance of His intimate encounters will cause our heart to overflow with joy even in the midst of adversity. We need to have our hearts secured in Him alone, anchored in His unfailing love and know Him as the essence of our joy and delight.
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7
“I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
Devotional Prayer
Thank You Lord for the everlasting joy that I have found in You. I ask that You take me into a deeper relationship with You, where I can begin to comprehend Your infinite goodness and incomprehensible love for me. Help me to become so united with Your Living Flame of Love that nothing in this life can move me from being centered in You. When the waters rage all around me I will remain steady and confident in Your love. When temptation are before me, I will remember Your love as the greatest pleasure in all of life!
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