I heard it said one time: “Don’t waste your sorrows.” We waste our sorrows as we fail to see the wisdom of God and HIS purposes revealed in the sufferings of our trials. The times of aloneness, darkness, pain, and confusion can be the most rewarding of times for the Developing Disciple if we wait upon HIM. Jesus said: “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
The is quite an inheritance. Those who become meek by the grace of God, going through trial and tribulation, going through brokenness trusting in the wisdom and purposes of God shall reign with Jesus Christ during the one-thousand-year rule of King Jesus upon the earth. We shall be kings and priests before God as we shall become joint-heirs with the Son of God. Therefore, grace and faith will meet together in the soul of man to bring that soul into a greater intimacy with the Savior. Are you persecuted today? Is the enemy at the door? Is there no deliverer in the vision of your sight? Never doubt in the wisdom of God nor HIS perfect timing, seek HIM and wait upon HIM, for HE shall be found. Consider the message from the Song of songs, the Song of King Solomon.
“The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. 2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.” (Song of Solomon 1:1-2)
The Song of Songs or the Song most beautiful, portrays Jesus Christ as the true and only King with his promised bride who longs for intimate and sweet fellowship with her espoused. It is a song of love. We must ask and answer the question, how is intimacy developed? The world seeks to draw the seeker away by various distractions. Intimacy, relationship, strong bonds, must pass through the fiery trial to weld the soul to her beloved who is Christ or the Developing Disciple to the pure Word of God. The beginning of the relationship is easy, but then must move to the proving stage. Faith will be challenged, and desire will be challenged as the intimacy of the relationship is deepened. “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.” Righteousness and peace have kissed, and the intimacy of our relationship is made real as the Word of God and the Soul of man commune by way of the Holy Spirit. The kiss is a mark of love, of intimacy between the bridegroom and his bride as well as a kiss from the Word of God that brings more pleasure to the soul than the physical pleasures of time. Have you been kissed by the bridegroom as HE spoke to you?
We are kissed and we kiss the Son as we trust in the truth of Scripture. There was a moment in your life when this text became personal to you. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Or maybe your kiss came from: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Intimacy began as the Spirit of God illuminated the truth of Scripture to your soul and you loved and worshipped HIM who is altogether lovely.
The lost do not have desires for the Savior. The lost have no longing for intimacy with God. They have not known the kisses of the Father which signify forgiveness. Forgiveness begins the panting for God. Forgiveness fills the soul with joy. The heart changes when faith arrives. Desires change and will continue to change as the grace faith trials arrive. Truth must be known and then truth must be proved. As the trials and pursuits unfold, the world will seek to distract the seeking heart, but only the love of the King will satisfy. The pursuit is on, as the warfare of the faith is before us. The journey into intimacy will have melodies and songs of beauty, but will also find dark lonely places of retreat. The Holy Spirit will illuminate truth to our soul, communion, love, kisses, intimacy with our Beloved.
The kiss is the expression of love and intimacy. The relationship between the bridegroom and the bride has been established for she has received his kisses, and she knows their sweetness. This is the early part, this is the easy part, filled with zeal and the excitement of relationship with Christ and HIS Word is now born and known in the soul. But to move forward the faith and love of the espoused must be tested. True intimacy is not simply based upon words, but rather actions. Faith is moved to love, to give, to sacrifice. Because our gaze is upon HIM, we cannot be stopped from loving.
Even if there is a setback, through the setback, move love will be given and restoration will make the relationship even stronger. Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” Peter had failed the fiery trial but now his love would become more devoted and sincere. He would learn to trust and obey the Lord in the face of adversity. When he and the disciples travelled the roads of Judea and Samaria it was easy. Jesus was there. The brethren were there. Miracles, healings, the living word of God spoke and never a man spoke like this man. At the beginning of the journey things were easy, but the trials must come to prove our faith and to deepen our intimacy with our LORD.
In Luke chapter 7, there was one precious soul who was so overwhelmed with the forgiveness she received, that she washed the feet of her Savior with her tears, and she kissed HIS feet. She loved him and she humbled herself worshipping HIM in Spirit and in truth. There was no Pharisee or Scribe who could grant forgiveness to her soul. There were no fastings, or washings, that could bring her peace. She kissed his feet, and HE kissed her soul. She loved HIM as her soul now sang the song of songs for she was now HIS.
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.” (Song of Solomon 1:2)
Have you begun your grace faith journey with Christ? HE is the King of kings and LORD of lords, and HE longs to make you HIS own. You can be espoused to HIM. There is a great wedding feast that is yet to come. And until that day of celebration in HIS kingdom, intimacy with HIM shall be developed. That which has been stated as true will be made true by the fiery trials which shall require our grace faith response. Seek HIM while HE may be found. Do not waste your sorrows and sufferings, let them become the kisses of HIS mouth as you learn to trust in HIM and in HIS truth.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Excerpt from VOC Newsletter, June 2022. Presently there is an open door in Turkey for persecuted believers. Refugees are pouring in from Afghanistan and Iran. Prayer and financial support are greatly needed to develop the work presently occurring in Turkey.
“Turkey: the new rescue zone
Since our trip to Turkey many doors have been opened to ministers to persecuted believers, already our new Director of Operations in Turkey has expanded his network, adding an additional church to our contact list, recording several testimonies of persecuted believers in the last month, as well been a key player in the rescue of a persecuted Christian. With this quickly expanding network has come a great opportunity to rescue those who are in otherwise hopeless situations. Turkey has become a hot spot for quickly relocating individuals who are facing life threatening persecution in Afghanistan and Iran. VOC is receiving some very concerning cases of individuals facing incredible persecution due to the Taliban regime takeover, so we are looking to strategically set up a safe house in Turkey which will be of enormous assistance in relocating persecuted individuals. The need for this residential place is great and we are excited to provide these people with a temporary haven while we transition them into a more sustainable environment.”
Will you pray, will you give, will you use your gifts and talents to serve the persecuted in America and around the world?
The Mission of VOC is to become a lifeline for persecuted Christians by providing them Rescue and Refuge while Replenishing their mind, body, and soul in order to help them grow their Christian faith. Donate To VOC