Song of Solomon 2:8a

attention to the book of the Song of Solomon chapter two when I read verses seven and eight I’ll focus is going to be on verse eight the first part of it verse seven of chapter two of song of Solomon says this I charge you old daughters of Jerusalem by the rose by the hinds of the field that you stir not up nor awaken my love till he please the voice of my beloved behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains skipping upon the hills my beloved is like a row or a young heart behold he standeth behind our wall he looketh forth at the window showeth himself through the lattice a prior to this verse 8 we see that the bride was in Christ arms she was enjoying intimate fellowship with our Savior as we saw in verse six and seven but now the bride finds Christ at a distance the intimate fellowship is in some way has been lost this distant is a distance felt it’s not in connection with our union with Christ because Christ never leaves nor forsakes as people but you feel as if you’re not as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as you once were that that that fellowship has been disturbed with some man and here you find Christ seeking the draw you close to him once again it’s always Christ that takes the initiative you see it’s always him it reaches out we could say our Christian life is sort of a series of visits and withdrawals in a way like Christ one over revivals of grace in the soul and one of drifting away somewhat from the Lord. There’s always this constant give and take that we go through. I was going to look at the whole verse 8 but when I got done with the first phrase in verse 8 I was done so we’re going to just do that this morning. You hear the voice of your beloved here’s the first sign of Christ returns so to speak. It’s a distinct voice. When passing through a season of coldness and decline, we may be spiritually surprised and sweetly surprised to hear the voice of our beloved. It warms your heart. It draws your attention back to your Savior and your desire to be near him. His voice comes to you through Scripture. That’s the way he normally speaks with his people. The church is capable of distinguishing Christ’s voice from everyone else’s voice. Here’s what the scripture says. The sheep hear his voice. He calleth his own sheep by name and the sheep follow him. John 10 verses 4 and 5. Christ speaks to you personally. He speaks to you by name. And you immediately recognize, hey, this is the voice of my beloved. It’s a distinct voice. I suggest you also it’s a majestic voice. There’s something dignified, lofty, stately about Christ’s voice. After all, is he not your king? Nor are you not his servant? He speaks as one having authority, not as a mere man. It’s a great voice according to the book of Revelation. 110, which arrest your attention, causes you to listen intently. cause you to respond like Samuel O’O. Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. A jestic voice. It’s a powerful voice. You know, Christ’s voice comes not in word only, but in power. And in the Holy Ghost. When you hear the word of God, and Christ speaks to you directly through it, his voice is omnipinent. It immediately wins over your heart. It overcomes any opposition that’s present. The Holy Spirit is within you, and he effectually applies the Word of Christ to you, so that it is irresistible. It always accomplishes the purpose. So it’s a very powerful voice that comes to you, and it’s a loving voice. Now, when Christ speaks to one of his own, he normally speaks in a tender, loving, compassionate manner. It’s the voice of my beloved, right? He doesn’t come to terrorize his bride, but to woo her. Look at verse 10. He’s going, what’s he going to say? My beloved spake and said unto me, rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. He’s wooing her. His voice is full of grace and compassion. He desires to heal any breach. between you and him, and remove the distance between you and you. It’s the voice of your beloved who dearly loves you. He’s giving you incontestable proofs of it. One of them is dying in your place. Hearing Christ’s voice then should fill you with joy and gladness. I’m reminded of John 329. George Burroughs said this. If the friend of the bridegroom which standeth and hear heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice, much more shall the bride rejoice when she heareth. A distinct voice, majestic voice, a powerful voice, and a loving voice that Christ calls us with here. Now when I was thinking about this and thought about the Lord’s supper, I thought, doesn’t Christ’s voice speak to us from his word concerning the Lord’s supper? This do in remembrance of me. Surely Christ wants you to come if you’re a believer and the fellowship with him at his table. As unworthy as we are, he pursues the fellowship with us. But ask yourself some of these questions. Christ’s voice says to you, like it was said to Adam long ago, where are thou? Where do you? Where do you stand with you? me. Are you far off? Do you want to be near? That’s a good question, the ponder. A second question. If you do feel a distance from Christ, hear his voice again. Come now, let us reason together, sayeth the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool. Can’t you find forgiveness in the Lord Jesus Christ? Yes. Do so. Oh. That’s what he commands you to do. And then there’s Christ’s voice to Elijah. What doest thou here? Why are you alone? Why are you at a distance? Do as I’ve commanded and be restored. But let a man examine himself. And so let him eat of that bread and drink that cup. That’s what Christ’s voice says to us as we come to the table this morning. So let’s keep that in mind.