It Starts Small

⁷ Tell me, you whom I love:
Where do you pasture your sheep?
Where do you let them rest at noon?
Why should I be like one who veils herself
beside the flocks of your companions?

Songs 1:7

This verse is a fervent cry for intimacy and clarity. The bride is passionately searching for the one she loves, yearning not just to follow Him but to be enveloped in His presence, resting by His side. She refuses to remain veiled and distant among the crowd—her heart longs to be known, to be intimately close. Spiritually, her desire resonates with the deep longing of every believer: to dwell in the embrace of the Good Shepherd. She ardently inquires where He feeds His flock and grants them rest—words that pulse with the essence of Psalm 23 and the promise of Jesus in John 10. She is unsatisfied with mere secondhand encounters. She cannot settle for merely being among His companions. No, her soul cries out to be with Him, personally and deeply, in a profound connection that transforms everything.

Theologically, this passionately underscores our divine invitation to embrace fellowship with Christ. We are not merely called to linger in the shadows; instead, through His Spirit, Christ fervently beckons us into vibrant, daily communication that is deeply personal. He does not conceal Himself from us; rather, He boldly assures us:

¹³ You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

Psychologically, the need for rest and presence is not just fundamental; it is vital to our very existence. Our brains and bodies are intricately designed for rhythms of rest and deep connection. When we lack this, we risk falling into emotional depletion. Neuroscience reveals that environments filled with stillness and relational safety empower our nervous system to transition from mere survival to serene peace. Jesus extends an invitation to this divine rest—a sacred space where our weary souls are rejuvenated and restored, flooding us with renewed strength and hope.

The bride’s poignant question unveils her deep vulnerability: “Why should I be like one who veils herself?” She is weary of concealing her true self. She is exhausted from the pretense and the endless wondering. Her heart yearns to belong, to be truly seen, to finally discover peace. How many of us carry that same aching desire—to drop our masks and encounter God in our raw reality? God is not found in the hustle and bustle of life; He dwells in the stillness, in the wild expanse of the wilderness, and in the serene embrace of the noonday rest. When we take the time to pause and cry out, “Where are You, Lord?” He answers us. He beckons us to lush pastures and tranquil waters—not merely for the joy of knowing, but for the profound gift of being truly known.

Journal Prompt:

• Where are you seeking rest?
• Are you veiling yourself from the presence of God? What masks are you wearing to blend in or to fit in. Are you hiding from God?
• Are you running to where He truly is?

Practical Steps and Application:

1. Set aside quiet time to sit with today’s scripture and listen.
2. Ask God to reveal where He is feeding and leading you in this season.
3. Let go of a mask or role you have been hiding behind in prayer.

Deeper Introspection:

Read Psalm 42:2.

² I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?

Psalm 42:2

Psalm 42:2, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” expresses a deep spiritual thirst and a longing to be in God’s presence. These journal prompts are designed to help explore that yearning, especially when God feels distant.

Prompts for exploring spiritual thirst

• The feeling of thirst: The psalmist compares the spiritual state to a deer in a drought. Describe your own spiritual “thirst.” What does it feel like? How does it manifest in daily life?
• The object of your thirst: The psalmist thirsts for “the living God.” What does this phrase mean? Why is God himself, and not religious activities or blessings, the ultimate source of spiritual satisfaction?
• Sources of distraction: What “junk food” or spiritual “empty calories” do you sometimes turn to when you feel spiritually thirsty, instead of seeking God directly? Write about how these things leave you feeling unsatisfied.
• Defining “living God”: What makes God “living”? How is he different from “dead idols,” whether they be ancient statues or modern distractions like money, success, or social media?

Prompts for dealing with perceived distance from God

• “When can I go and meet with God?”: The psalmist asks this question from a place of longing, possibly due to a physical separation from the temple. In what ways do you currently feel separated or distant from God? Is the distance physical, emotional, or spiritual?
• The presence of God: Remember a time when you felt closer to God than you do now. What was that experience like? What were the circumstances surrounding it?
• Honesty with God: The psalmist is not afraid to vocalize distress to God. Write an honest letter to God about how you feel during your times of spiritual dryness. Be vulnerable and raw, pouring out your true feelings.
• God’s faithfulness in the wait: As you wait to “meet with God,” what truths about his character can you hold on to? How can you cultivate hope and trust in his faithfulness even when he feels far away? (See Romans 15:13)

Prompts for cultivating intimacy with God

• Shifting focus: When your mind is in turmoil, how can you shift your focus from your own feelings of despair to the truth about God’s steadfast love? (See Psalm 42:8)
• The path to refreshment: What specific actions can you take this week to proactively seek God and quench your spiritual thirst? Consider practices such as prayer, Scripture meditation, and worship.
• Embracing the paradox: As the psalmist demonstrates, it is possible to be both distressed and hopeful at the same time. How can you embrace this tension in your own life and use it to deepen your faith?
• The invitation to draw near: Hebrews 4:16 invites to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” How can you apply this invitation to your current situation? What does approaching the throne look like for you today?

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