“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 Sol. 2:1414O 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)).
When we remember the Lord in His death, our hearts are rightly drawn out in occupation with Him who is chiefest among ten thousand and altogether lovely. But what about His thoughts concerning us—those who, in the Song of Songs, are not only referred to as “my beloved,” but also in such a divinely endearing term as “my dove”?
His Affections for the Dove
What yearning desire His blessed heart has concerning the most tender object of His affections the church! What it cost Him to place a soul in the “clefts of the rock”! And what a place of security is ours who have put our trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)).
“Stairs” speak of access. Believers have full access into His presence “the secret places of the stairs.” Hebrews 10:1919Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19) reminds us of the wonderful and constant approach that is ours every moment into His blessed presence. Surely He delights to have his “dove” ever found entering into the holiest “by the blood of Jesus”!
Then, having reminded our hearts of His thoughts of us and our privilege of access into His presence, the Lord tells us how much He longs—yea, delights—that we should be near Him. “Let me see thy countenance.” Yet His blessed heart desires even more: “Let me hear thy voice.” May we ever more realize the sweetness our voices give His blessed heart, as well as the beauty He sees in that object which He loved and gave Himself for (Eph. 5:2525Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)).
His Provisions for the Dove
Wings provide ability to rise above the world. Our Lord, through His glorious work at the cross, has brought us up “out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay,” setting our “feet upon a rock” (Psa. 40:22He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalm 40:2)). But we have been taken infinitely higher than that—“risen with Christ” (Col. 3:11If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)), “joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)), and blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ” (Eph. 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3) JND). What wonderful wings He has given His dove!
Those wings are covered with silver, speaking of the work of redemption necessary that we might enjoy this heavenly portion. But there is more, for the wings are also covered with gold. All of Christ’s righteousness and acceptance belong to His dove.
W. K. Shane (adapted)