1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. 2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. 3a As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. Song of Solomon 2:1-3a KJV.
As Christ is the bridegroom of His church to each one of us in our union with Him, Jesus is the “lily” of our valleys (that is “valleys” with a “s”), the kingdom of God which lies within each of us (Luke 17:20-21 KJV). As the kingdom of God is within us, in our many valleys or our deep and humble places of despair where we are sometimes troubled, our “rose of Sharon,” our “lily of the valleys” is as well within us. We seek out and share His peace within in our valleys.
Jesus is present among our thorny places (v. 2) of our pain and suffering providing healing to our body, mind, and spirit. He is gently showing us the examples by His Word of His love and comfort as we go through our valleys approaching and climbing our mountains of destiny.
Jesus nourishes and supports us (v. 3a) as we journey among the troubles of the world (v, 2). It takes His kingdom, His peace, His presence, His healing, His love, His comfort, His nourishment, and His support, the Spirit of Jesus within us, as we are sojourners through the valleys (Psalm 23 KJV).
Thank you God for the “rose of Sharon” within us in our valleys!
Brenda A. McGee has attended New York Theological Seminary in New York, NY, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA as a Master of Divinity student.