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Day 92: The Two-Fold Divine Embrace (SoS 2:6)

  His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me. 

 Song of Songs 2:6

The only thing that cures lovesickness is love. Not just anyone's, but the same love that started it all. In verse 5, the Bride fainted and now finds peace and satisfaction in her Beloved's arms.

So, she and her beloved in this verse are enraptured in each other's arms.

There are many scriptures in the Bible about the hand of God. Just like the Beloved's, God's love and embrace are shown in two folds. By His right and left hands. Let's look into them.

The Bible is eerily quiet about the left hand of the Lord. There are no references to it but its silence does not signify its nonexistence. Many scriptures in the Bible talk about the acts of the hand of God and when specifications are made, they always refer to His right hand.

The left hand of God represents God's unseen hand. Those undiscernible acts of God that make things work in our favor. It is under our heads and that implies two things:

1. It is out of view. We can't see it.

It works things out behind the scenes. When I think about it, Romans 8:28 comes to mind. It says:

 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  

Aside from the Song of Songs, the book of Esther is the only other book in the Bible where God's name is not mentioned. Yet God was in every moment of the entire book. What were the chances that Vashti messed up and Esther became queen just in time for Haman to rise against the Jews? God delivered His people and destroyed their enemies without ten plagues or parting of the sea.

What are the chances David got to the Israelite camp at the time Goliath came out to taunt God's people? And he got the opportunity of a lifetime! What are the chances that of all the fields around Ruth chose Boaz's field to glean? What are the chances that Pharaoh's daughter decided to bathe when Moses was in a basket in the river? Why not another Egyptian?

When we examine our own lives, we will also find divine coincidences. We'll see moments and occurrences that we think deeply about, no one could've orchestrated but God. The left hand of God weaves both the significant and little occurrences of our lives, even the good and the bad together to bring us to His expected end.

2. It supports the head.

The head signifies the place of thoughts, logic, and decisions. This left hand of God works silently to keep us steady and unmovable. It influences our hearts to yearn for the right thing and grants grace and strength to stick by our decisions. Philippians 2:13 (Amplified Version) says:

 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.

The right hand however speaks of God's visible discernible acts. When Israel came out of Egypt, after seeing many displays of God's power, they sang in Exodus 15:6:

 “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces. 

The right hand of God displays His matchless authority and power but not just that. Isaiah 41:10 says this hand is righteous. The obvious displays of God's power, love, and supremacy are not tyranny or abuse of power but declarations of His love. He said in Jeremiah 31:3:

 ...“Yes, I have loved you within an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

His right hand delivers, saves, fights for us, provides, prospers, heals, restores, strengthens, performs wonders, and upholds. Name every beautiful thing He does for man. Even if we are not seeking God for what He can give, displays of His power and love still endear our hearts to Him. He delights in doing them for us.

Whether you are right or left-handed, you wouldn't like to give up your other hand because even though it's less powerful, it makes many more tasks possible, easier, and faster. Though we do not see the left hand of God working for us, it's not less powerful than His right. Both work together per time to make His good purposes for us come to pass.

When we are weary and fainting, Jesus embraces us with His hands. He works anonymously to position us for the displays of His mighty power. He steps in to sustain and refresh us so we may keep pursuing Him.

Man's ultimate strength comes from intimacy with God. Intimacy with God is not just goosebumps and mushy feelings. Intimacy is everything God does to show us He loves us. Well, that's every act of His and we should reciprocate.

PRAY WITH ME:

My Beloved Jesus, for every miracle, goodness, and act of Your love I did not see, thank You. For the obvious displays of your power, authority, and love on my behalf, I'm grateful. Help me to be more aware of and grateful for both discernible and indiscernible acts of your love. Amen.

REFLECT & ACT:

  • Have you had moments that seemed like coincidences but turned things in your favor? Thank God for them.
  • Thank Him for His blessings and acts unknown to you.
  • Thank Him for the obvious displays of His power and love to draw you to Himself.

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