Streams From Lebanon (Song Of Solomon 4:15)

5. ASSIST THE AFFLICTED ONES

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those that are bruised" (Luke 4:18).

Some of us keep ourselves separate from others and couldn't console those who are deeply afflicted. We have enormous virtues hidden in that stream that flows continuously from Mount Lebanon. Please go as physicians in the midst of the sick, as torchbearers in the midst of darkness. Go out as losers of the bonds among the captives, as openers of prison doors among those that are bound in deep sin.

Pour the water of your streams on their souls and give them hope in Christ Jesus (Psalm 31:24). Remember, "He who waters will also be watered himself" (Proverbs 11:25).

6. BE FREE TO SHOW LOVE

The "streams from Lebanon" were freer than the brook, which leaps along the mountain side. There the bird wets its wings; there the red deer comes to drink; and even that wild beast of Lebanon (2Kings 14:9) comes there, and without let or hindrance, slakes its thirst.

It belongs to no one; it is free to all. Anyone who passes by it can stoop there and get refreshed from the mountain stream. Fellow brethren, let us carry a sense of piety in our relationships with others. A light loses none of its own lustre when others are lit by its flame. Remember that you will earn riches by giving riches away, and that giving away will increase your wealth.

Don't send that fellow brother away who needs a word of advice. Embrace that homeless sister with God's love. Revelations 3:20 says, "Open the door of your heart," just as God opens the streams from the mountain and floods our hearts with abundant grace.

The fellow sinner is knocking on your door. Do not say, "Depart from me, you cursed," (Matthew 25:41) nor slam the door against the sinner's face with "What are you doing here?" (Isaiah 22:16) Rather, welcome him/her and say, "Come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house... " (Genesis 24:31).

Though we should be shut up in our inner lives, let every wall be broken down as to the outer life. We must be hidden springs within, but let us be sweetly flowing rivulets without, giving drink to every passerby.

7. WE ARE THE BATTLE AXE OF GOD

The garden was shut up (Songs of Solomon 4:12)—that was to keep it. There are no walls here, so that all may come to it. The streams were shut up before; but now they are flowing, which is to teach us this—that the way God keeps his people in security is not by shutting out their enemies from attacking them, but by laying them open to temptation and attack, and sustaining them in this condition. This will turn us into the BATTLE AXE (Jeremiah 51:20) of God, His weapon of warfare.

It is not much to preserve oneself behind a wall which cannot be scaled, but to stand where arrows are flying thick as hail. As Christians, we are to pray, "Lead us not into temptation" (Matthew 6:13); but indeed, we are often tempted, notwithstanding our prayer. Put us where we must be tempted—put us where we must be tried, because there is no honor in not being tried.