My dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secrecy of the steep place, let Me see your form.
Let Me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your form is beautiful.
Song of Songs 2:14 LITV
Willing. One of the attributes in the Bridegroom’s blueprint of a suitable Bride, for which He listens and watches. Mr. Persistent, whose Eternal name and nature is Love: coaxing, drawing, waiting, available. He, the epitome of willing.
Showing such patience – suffering long – with His becoming Bride; a level of patience with which she quickly and easily becomes impatient. His ability to despair of nothing and no one, challenging her belief system that despairs of self, others, even Him at times – this patient slow One.
How dare He expect her to become more willing? Has she not read His Word? Has she not gone forth and done all that has been expected of her? Hasn’t she filled her days and nights with the work of the Kingdom? Hasn’t she given up enough? Why does she matter so to this Lover that demands more, all?
***
Enter our Shulamite tucked in the cleft of the rock. Though she has covered the ground that brought her to this place, it was not her chosen destination nor of her own doing. She was placed here as by an unseen Hand; she, with developing doves’ eyes set in this secret, away from the crowd place chiseled within the craggy mountainside. Let the Daughters of Jerusalem back down in the valley revel and rejoice or languish and lament – with His eye upon them all, just as it is upon the sparrow.
But here – in the secrecy of the steep place, alone with this one He so loves, His eye is upon His dove. And He begins to speak.
LET Me see your form. My dove, allow Me. Every degree of willing permission furthers your progress. Each time you consent, a little more of your guard comes down. Won’t you step out from the shadows and let me look at you, just as you are? Uncovered and not ashamed, My perfect love your covering.
Let ME see your form. The fulfilling view of who you are only I can share with you. Parceled out to the many, My dove, no other eye – including your own – holds the view and vision with which I behold you. I am the only One who holds every detail of your blueprint, fitting you together as you allow Me to do so.
Let Me SEE your form. This is the place and time that we may look one upon another. All others’ approval and perceptions pale in comparison to My nearness. Let Me see your countenance and regard you with My eye. The more we look one upon the other, the more you will be changed into My image.
Let Me see YOUR form. Oh my dove, if I wanted someone else, I would woo them as I am wooing you. Know this – I do. But they are them; they are not you. Don’t look around you or over My shoulder. Look right here with your doves’ eyes. Show Me you.
Let Me see your FORM. Your appearance has captured my attention. I find you beautiful. Have we come this far that you continue to doubt my intentions toward you? You are My dove in whose form I am at home. Suitable and pleasant, it is My satisfaction to make My habitation with you. Home with you – temple of the living God, residence of men, pasture of flocks, or dens of wild animals* – I am pleased to dwell with you. As your heart rests in Me, My rest and celebration of praise finds a tarrying place in you.
***
The Shulamite’s story is far from over. We should be grateful, for like her, time and again we are brought to the secret place in the cleft of the Rock, Christ Jesus. To see His Person and hear His Voice in increasing measure and greater clarity begs that we respond to His plea that we allow ourselves to be seen and known by Him. To argue that He sees and knows all already, and therefore have no need to bare oneself to Him, is to miss the beauty and intimacy of life lived as one abiding in Christ.
The cleft is as much a place of choice as it is of separation.
The degrees of separation unto Him are measured not only in terms of the outward, but also the inward. Where man looks upon the outward appearance, the LORD looks upon the heart. Whether in the pruning process as it cycles around, or set in the cleft’s steep place of the next step of ascent, He is desirous of teaching us His ways and transforming us through the renewing of our mind to His truth.
He watches and listens for our willingness to seek our completion in Him, which cannot be found apart from Him. Regardless of where one may be in their journey of the becoming Bride, there is always a higher height and a deeper depth in this Bridal relationship with Bridegroom King.
There will be a Day of full consummation but beloved of Christ, He is not elusive here and now. Let Him see your form and hear your voice in the secrecy of the steep place. For His doves’ eyes only.
He and she who have ears to hear, let them hear.
Part three awaits with a final look at Song of Songs 2:14, for you with a voice He longs to hear.
~ Gracefully Free
Additional scripture reading: John 15; Revelation 21:3; *Hebrew nâvâh; Romans 8:29; I Samuel 16:7
photo credit: View into the Valley via photopin (license)
Shammahs Field LLC/Shammah Ministries is the biblical counseling, life coaching, and spiritual growth ministry entrusted to Wayne & Nancy Bentz. You can learn more about the resources they have to offer at shammahsfield.com and nancybentz.com.
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