Song of Solomon 8:5

(5) Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved? I awakened you under the apple tree. There your mother brought you forth; there she who bore you brought you forth.

Today's verse begins with the bride coming up from the trials and temptations of the world to a place of victory in Him, her Beloved Bridegroom. She is seen in the fullness of His grace, with a leaning and loving heart. She is victorious over every obstacle, coming up out of her wilderness season, and fully leaning and trusting in Him to bring her up and out.

Herein lies a great truth that many of us miss. His divine love, released and imparted to us, is the only thing that will bring us through the wilderness. It is not our determination, our success, our wisdom, nor our strength, but only an experiential knowledge of His love! You see, a person in love will not quit. The bride's love for Jesus is her great motivation. He is her life goal and her source of supply. He has become her all in all, and there is nothing she won't do to be united with Him in love.

The Bridegroom then reminds her when He first awakened her heart to His love. It was a place of refreshing & rest... "like an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons. I sat down in His shade with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste." (Song of Solomon 2:3) His reminder is like a 'marked' point in her life. It's when her whole life changed. It's the same with us. We will always remember the place in our lives when He first touched us with His incredible love!

At the beginning of her awakening in Him, the church (her mother) had a great impact upon her in the full plan of God. It was the church that contributed to her spiritual progress. The church was part of her spiritual roots, and one she was grateful for. The church was also a tool God used to bring her to maturity.

So it should be for all of us. God desires us to have 'body life', even though we sometimes experience issues with people in the body. God will use them all to grow us up into mature believers. Some may have different ideas than you; others may have personalities that clash with yours. Don't despise the people He uses to bring you to full maturity. The very people you dislike or may even despise are the very ones that God will use to teach you, even though you are unaware at the time! Selah....