So here at IHOP we take the verse in Song of Solomon that says that we have ravished His heart with one glance of our eye (SoS 4:9) and place it in the group of sweet, intimacy verses.
I was thinking about this verse the other day and I came to the conclusion that tender nearness isn’t exactly the first thing that would come to my mind at the thought of a ravished God. There is only one thing more terrifying than a God who is all-powerful, who is seated above the circle of the earth and who sees the nations as a drop in a bucket. And that is when that same God is ravished by me.
When we touch the untouchable heart of God with our devotion we have reached a point of no return. So often I take my weak heart and touch a part of God’s heart especially reserved to be moved by me and then I entertain the notion that I can continue life as usual. Little do I know that something has been set in motion by that glance. God takes that moment of devotion and translates it as an excuse to relentlessly pursue me. Oh my, what have I gotten myself into?
A certain picture comes to mind as I think of all of this. I envision a little girl standing in front of a vast, snow covered mountain range. In a moment of awe she tilts her head as far back as possible and cries out in wonder as she claps her hands in delight at the beauty of nature. A few moments later she turns to leave, but just as she starts walking she hears a soft rumbling. It quickly grows louder and the next thing she knows she’s facing a powerful, rumbling avalanche headed straight for her with only moments before she is completely immersed. All of it started with her little hands clapping. Let Him be your fear. Let Him be your dread.
The fear of the Lord becomes a completely different reality when we add intimacy to it. It is not as much His power, as it is His heart that ignites a holy fear and reverence in me. He is not unresponsive. I suggest you take a look over your shoulder. There just might be an avalanche coming after you.
