Song of Songs 1:3 Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

When you saw the title of this devotional you probably thought of verses that Paul wrote. What led me here was not that verse from 1 Corinthians 9 nor Hebrews 12. It wasn’t even Psalm 19. It was this verse.

Proverbs 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

In my mind I saw follow Jesus to find Jesus. In that it seems that we are always trying to catch a better glimpse of our Savior as we follow Him in this life. My human urge was to run faster. If I can catch up to Him I can see Him better.

Then this verse in Song of Songs came to mind. It interests me in context of the running after our King. First He brought us into His chamber. The image is close personal relationship, intimacy, love, pure love.

Then it is compared to drinking wine; “we will remember thy love more than wine”.

Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

The warning to the church at Ephesus should be clear to us that we are not to view His love as something we chase after but rather bathe in.

It is communion, the communion of saints.

Luke 22:18-20 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Exodus 35:21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

For all His service speaks to me this morning. Let nothing that ought to be done, go undone. It takes every heart that has been stirred to see that the work of the tabernacle of the congregation is completed.

Luke 9:14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

I am reminded of this verse in how easy it is to miss the needs of one among five thousand. Having servants to look to the needs of fifty offers an opportunity to meet everyone’s needs. It takes servants to do the work of the ministry and we need them all. No one should ignore the stirring of their hearts in service.

What I hate to hear is any phrase that begins with “I am not”. What? Talented, gifted, learned, ready, are those the things you are not? Did you think Jesus rose up out of His baptism ready somehow to serve and had not been prepared beforehand? Listen to this.

Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Jesus grew up in the synagogue, was known by the leader of His synagogue, and chosen to read the scrolls. As was His custom shows us that Jesus did not step up out of obscurity to lead His people free. He grew up to be a man known to be trustworthy enough to be given responsibility in the tabernacle of the congregation.

It is the same with you and me. We all grow up in the Lord because we serve others.