God is not Discouraged

The bridegroom of the Song of Songs (aka the Song of Solomon) spends the first full four chapters of the book wooing the bride. He speaks tenderly to her. He adores her openly. He holds nothing back of his own heart. This is a picture of Jesus as He woos you and me to come closer to Him, to trust His love and respond to His love. To follow Him. To pray to (commune with) Him.

And by the end of chapter four, she responds. Married now, they can fully enjoy their love. God Himself rejoices as they do. 

I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse;
I have gathered my myrrh with my spice;
I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey;
I have drunk my wine with my milk.

Eat, O friends!
Drink, yes, drink deeply,
O beloved ones!

(Song of Solomon 5:1 NKJV)

This ecstasy is pictured in our powerful worship times with God, our powerful prayer times with God, when the walls come down and we recommit, we repent. We exchange deep love with God, heart to heart. 

But look what happens right away…

Right away, in the very next verse, He is at a place again where He has to try to convince her to open her heart. “Open to Me.” She’s “fallen asleep” again. Slipped away from what’s really important.

Discouraging isn't it? You've probably experienced it. Great prayer night followed by the worst day in your history. But before we feel condemned about this natural pattern, let’s take a look at this:

He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.

(Isaiah 42:4 NKJV)

God does not become discouraged as we work through our indifference. He just keeps wooing us. He will not relent. We will not be left without a witness of His amazing love in our lives. He knows we’re human. Humanity was His idea. The fact that we are all growing, we’re all struggling (at times), we’re all either moving closer or slipping away is not discouraging to Him. We get discouraged. But He doesn’t. So if He isn’t discouraged about our weaknesses, we can cut ourselves some slack. Growth is a natural progression. Again, this was His idea.

But...

When you discover you are slipping (or “sleeping”), stir your soul. Get back to a place of intimate connection with God. Immerse yourself into a prayerful season. Worship Him. Get to a prayer room (even if only online where you can watch the prayer room live stream at www.ihopkc.org). Don’t settle for being “asleep.” 

Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (see James 4:8), and remember He doesn’t grow discouraged as we grow. 

He’s an ever-wooing God who has set His affections on YOU. Respond. Receive. Learn to trust. Lean into that love, and open to Him.