relationships (Song of Solomon 5:7-8) Stay Calm and Respectful

(Song of Solomon 5:7-8)

7   The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me,
     They struck me and wounded me;
     The guards of the walls took my shawl away from me.
8   Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem,
     If you find my beloved,
     As to what you will tell him:
     For I am lovesick.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In the previous verses, Solomon's wife had just turned down Solomon's advances, and then regretted doing so.  So now, we see here that her initial search for him did not go so well, perhaps because she wasn't thinking clearly and didn't remain calm.  For so many reasons, no matter how dramatic or traumatic a situation is, it is in the best interest of all to exercise self-control.

It doesn't matter who we are, if and when we come face to face with patrol officers of any type, we need to remain calm, respectful and cooperative.  Because of the nature of their job and the dangers that come with it, they will be on high-alert.  So, just imagine how it would come across, seeing a seemingly deranged woman frantically asking for the location of a king!  Immediately, they assumed she was a criminal, and so, they probably took her shawl away in order to see her face... and/or maybe they thought she had stolen it.  It doesn't matter!  Just always try to remain calm, respectful and cooperative with anyone in a position of authority!

From verse 8, as the wife admitted to being "lovesick", we can safely assume that she was most likely not very calm in that moment.  As well, she was most likely jumping to all the "worst-case-scenarios" - because that's just what we tend to do.  So, seeking the help of friends can be a good idea - if your friends are going to give wise and godly advice.  

So let's see what the Bible says about what we should do in these types of situations...

- first, pray for the Lord's intervention: 

(Psalm 46:1-2) "God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth shakes and the mountains slip into the heart of the sea"

- stay calm and ask the Lord for His peace, comfort and strength: 

(Philippians 4:6-7) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

- ask the Lord for wisdom: 

(James 1:5-6): "...if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind."

- ask the Lord to help sort out the details in the situation: 

(1 Peter 5:6-7) "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

- if appropriate, go to someone wise for advice: 

(Proverbs12:15) "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a person who listens to advice is wise."

- find out the facts/truth: 

(Proverbs 25:2) "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,  but the glory of kings is to search out a matter."

- don't jump to conclusions, but believe the best, while getting to the heart of the matter with love and respect: 

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7) "Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 

- be willing to reconcile with confession and/or forgiveness: 

(Colossians 3:12-17) "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.  In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

- and no matter the outcome, continue to trust and rest in the Lord:

 (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ."