My beloved has gone to his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed his flock in the gardens, and to gather lilies. Song of Solomon 6:2
Farmers and ranchers who have animals must feed their animals on a daily basis. They go out to where the animals are and bring them the needed food and water to sustain them or they release them into the fields to gather the food and water on their own. All the necessary food is provided in some way or another to keep the animals alive, productive and of value.
The Shulamite says that her beloved had gone out into the garden to feed his flock and gather lilies.
Food and water are one thing that every person in the world needs, regardless of where one lives or how old or young one is. Adults typically provide food for the children, while providing for themselves. This food sustains a person physically.
Just as people need physical food to survive, they also need spiritual food to continue to live. The spiritual food that is needed is the word of God and people, believers, are His flock. He gave His word to create everything that is and then used that same word to sustain everything that had been created, and He feeds His flock with His word.
As one takes in and eats the word of God, both written and spoken, one will be sustained during the trials of this life. That believer will be filled with joy and peace to overflowing and given strength and boldness to do the work that God has called that one to do. This must be done on a daily basis and even continually throughout the day grazing on God’s word, being sustained and strengthened from moment to moment.
Every day you must be willing to eat physical food to keep going. In the same way you must be willing to eat of the food of God, His word. You will find His food in reading the Bible–His written word. You will also find His food in hearing His Holy Spirit speak to you to guide you and sustain you in this life. Take in His word, trust in it, and obey His it to have the abundant life that God has prepared for you. He gave His word to give you life.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s word to you; that you will eat of the food God has prepared for you; that you will know the life God has made for you; and that you be a part of the flock of God.
Picture by Jonny Gios on Unsplash
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