Pleasant Stone Devotional Meditation: September 12

“Draw me, we will run after thee …” ~ Song of Solomon 1:4a

Here is the glorious simplicity of Christianity. In this little “green stone” fragment is the key to the dynamic of the changed life. This does not present a philosophical persuasion or a logical premise. This verse explains why the twelve and all the others since, “left their nets” and followed.

We can abide by a principle. But we can only abide in a person. People will always be more important to people than principles will ever be. God created us that way, and so it is no wonder at all that He invaded our world Himself as a human being, who also cared much more about people than ethical concepts.

God always does things in the simplest and clearest way. And sense He “fashioned our hearts alike,” He knew He would never capture and hold us through our minds. He knew we would have to be “drawn with cords of love” and that we would have to be drawn by a Person.

God knew He didn’t dare depend only upon “verifiable data” or intellectual attraction, when He began to reach toward His loved ones who were so “far off.” He depended on Himself. God came down here!

God in Jesus Christ is the Beloved who would draw you to Himself. He asks more than your mind in agreement with His. More than your heart turned nostalgically toward His. He asks for you.

And in return He gives you Himself. The sin-sick, confused man can’t concentrate on a system of theology, but he can look at a Person. And when he looks at Jesus Christ, he is drawn out of himself into the One who has been seeking him. Once he sees, he follows. However haltingly.

“… we will run after thee … my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee… Thou art my God.”