COMPASSIONATE COMMUNICATIONS
PART 2Jack Davis
“O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.” Song of Solomon 2:14
LOOK UP
“Let me see thy countenance.” Shall we not always be facing Him? Faith in His promises will bring us face to face with Him. Glory to God, forever. What a sweet privilege is our’s to look upon Him with dove’s eyes, by heart revelation from His Word. With the eyes of understanding focused by faith on Jesus, our affections are set on Him. Looking unto Him as the author and finisher of our faith, we are divinely strengthened to go on and run with patience the race set before us.
He also invites us to “Look with Him” and greatly enjoy His point of view. In S.O.S. 4:8 the lover representing the Lord not only says “come with me,” but also “…look from the top…”. So many distractions vie for our attention today. Many problems arise that seem insurmountable. But they all grow strangely dim and pale into insignificance in the light of His glory and grace. As we look unto the Lord He seems to always be giving us visual adjustments setting our sites on the eternal, spiritual and heavenly.
The light that shown from heaven transformed Paul’s life, for it not only got into His hands and feet but penetrated his heart first. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” II Cor. 4:6.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord” II Cor. 3:18. Is there any wonder that He says, “Let me see thy Face?” His delight is to transform us as we look on Him. Seeing Jesus by heart revelation gives us a comely countenance in His sight.
SPEAK UP
“Let me hear thy voice.” Why pray? Love requires it. In the book of Job we read that the wicked spend their days in wealth and say to God, “Depart from us; for we desire no knowledge of thy ways. What is the almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?” Job 21:7,13-15. In other words, what’s the use? The wicked are deceived by material wealth, and come to this sad condition of thinking they are independent of God, Many righteous are also being deceived today by materialism. If a problem arises the thinking seems to be, oh well, we’ve got what it takes to handle this one.
“The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” I Pet. 3:12. “The effectual fervent prayer off a righteous man availeth much” James. 5:16b. Therefore we believe that according to God’s Word that prayer is still beneficial. We know by experience that God will answer prayer.
Paul admonished Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life…” I Tim. 6:12a. The saints at Philippi were encouraged in standing fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel – Phil. 1:27. How is faith’s fight fought? In the mind, from the mouth, from the head or from the heart? The Scripture makes it very clear that it is not done by human might, nor against human foes. It is evident that the saints of God do their best fighting on their knees or faces before the Lord.
Jesus said, “Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation,” and “Men ought always to gray and not faint.” Can we scripturally refuse to pray, and at the same time obey God’s Word? Can we reject and neglect our prayer life, and at the same time truly follow Paul as he followed Christ?” Why is so much recorded of our Lord’s and our apostle’s prayers? Who is able to afford to disregard Phil. 4:6,7 and still be a winner? Are we not taught to be careful nor nothing, prayerful about everything, and thankful in all things?
That victorious company of saints, made kings and priests unto God are not only to be leaders in worship, but also have been powerful faithful prayer warriors.
Who can and who should pray? Shall we count on human intermediary to do our praying? What relationship, how intimate is our fellowship to be enjoyed with our dear Lord when we neglect this high privilege? The channels of communication must be kept open, “In the secret inner chamber, thou wilt whisper what thou art.”
On whom do we call when our soul is overwhelmed, when trouble arises, catastrophe comes. Where do we look? Who is the first person we want to talk to? Certainly we are prone to want the one we are most familiar with, that is best able to help, the one we trust the most.
Oh, how can we earnestly contend for the faith unless we are in current and constant communion with the rightful object of our faith, the author and finisher. The greatest faith is often exercised in the most simple prayer. It has been wisely said that the prayer of faith is not overcoming our Father’s reluctance to undertake for us, but rather a laying hold of His willingness.
Paul puts emphasis on prayer in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit has the responsibility of keeping us in a prayerful attitude. We by faith must expect this and yield to Him that allowed it. Grieve not, quench not the Spirit. He is the one to keep our prayer life in continual exercise of fellowship with our Father. The whole armour of God is put on and held in place by faith. This wonderful protection is all utilized, activated, exercised by the prayer of faith. “Let me hear thy voice.”
