The Song of Solomon has been called the book of communion. We have that beautifully set forth
in the first seven verses of the second chapter. The bride and the bridegroom are conversing
together. We delight to speak with those whom we love. One of the wonderful things about love
is that when someone has really filled the vision of your soul, you do not feel that any time that
is taken up communing with him is wasted. Here then you have the lovers out in the country
together and she exclaims, for it is evidently she who speaks in verse one, "I am the rose of
Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." Generally we apply those words to the blessed Lord; we speak
of Him as the Rose of Sharon. We sing sometimes, "He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and
Morning Star." It is perfectly right and proper to apply all these delightful figures to Him, for we
cannot find any figure that speaks of that which is beautiful and of good report that cannot
properly be applied to the Lord. But the wonderful thing is that He has put His own beauty upon
His people. And so here the bride is looking up into the face of the bridegroom saying, "I am the
rose [really the narcissus, a blood-red flower] of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys" _ the lily that
thrives in the hidden place, not in the town, not in the heat and bustle of the city, but out on the
cool countryside, in the quiet field. Does it not speak of the soul’s separation to Christ Himself?

It is when we draw apart from the things of the world, apart to Himself, that we really thrive and
grow in grace and become beautiful in His sight. I am afraid that many of us do not develop
spiritually as we should, because of the fact that we know so little of this heart-separation to
Himself. One of the great griefs that comes to the heart of many a one who is seeking to lead
others oh in the ways of Christ, is to know the influence that the world has upon them after they
are converted to God. How often the question comes from young Christians, "Must I give up this
and must I give up that if I am going to live a consistent Christian life?" And the things that they
speak of with such apparent yearning are mere trifles after all as compared with communion with
Him. Must I give up eating sawdust in order to enjoy a good dinner? Who would talk like that?
Must I give up the pleasures of the world in order that I may have communion with Christ? It is
easy to let them all go if the soul is enraptured with Him; and when you get to know Him better,
when you learn to enjoy communion with Him, you will find yourself turning the question around.
So when the world says, "Won’t you participate with us in this doubtful pleasure or in this unholy
thing?" your answer will be, "Must I give up so much to come down to that level? Must I give
up communion with Him? Must I give up the enjoyment of His Word? Must I give up fellowship
with His people in order to go in the ways of the world?"

Dear young Christian, do not think of it as giving up anything to go apart with Him and enjoy His
blessed fellowship. It is then the separated soul looks into His face and says, "I am like the
narcissus of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys," and He at once responds, "As the lily among
thorns, so is my love among the daughters."