Friday - Song of Solomon 3 - I Would Not Let Him Go

  

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HERE is definitely place in the life of a Christian for a wonderful trait commonly called determination (Hebrews 3:6, 4:14 & 10:23).  Not stubbornness, mind you: determination, resolve, fortitude and grit. In Song of Solomon 3:4 we read that the beautiful Shulamite maid held her shepherd lover and "would not let him go" until she had made him certainly her own.  These are such marvelous words, reflecting an even more wonderful sentiment.  When you love someone, you want them to say that they will never let you go, right?

While the doctrine may be slightly obscure and its meaning even moderately debatable, there is no mistaking that determination is indeed a characteristic which God prizes in His children (Revelation 2:25 & 3:3).  Abraham demonstrated a measure of it in his conversation with God concerning the destruction of Sodom, which was then pending (Gen. 18:17-32).  Jacob showed his determination in his wrestling match with God the night before his reunion with Esau (Gen. 32:24-30).  Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke positively of determination and persistence in prayer (Luke 18:7-8) & of faithful endurance in devotion (Matt. 10:22).  The apostle Paul urged perseverance in our ministry of intercession (Eph. 6:18) & described the supernatural enduring strength of agape love (1^st Cor. 13:4-7). 

The Shulamite was determined to hang on to her beloved one.  So, she would not let him go.  Even though our position in Christ is as secure and as permanent as His promises, we should lay hold on eternal life and refuse to let up until we find ourselves fully sanctified in His presence (1^st Tim. 6:12 & 19).