“Let his left hand be under my head, And his right hand embrace me.” 
—Song of Songs 2:6, NASB

Reflection 

Day by day He strengthens us, though we do not realize He is doing it. He extinguishes germs we never even knew were there. Again and again, Yeshua’s love has shepherded us into making right decisions, led us into right relationships, closed doors to protect us from bad situations, and opened doors to lead us into good ones. All this time we hardly perceived it was Him. 

There are seasons when we are proceeding with our own idea, believing we are making the right and reasonable decision, and yet God is working behind the scenes to keep us from making a bad decision. We may not understand at the time why a door closes. We may not know for certain that it is Messiah Jesus closing the door on the first opportunity or closing the door on the second one. But His left hand is under our head. We cannot always see it, but it is upholding us and guiding our decision-making. 

This is what it means to be loved by the Bridegroom. He protects us, guides us, and orchestrates our circumstances, even when we do not know He is the One doing it. He knows what matters in ways we do not yet understand. He sees the relationships that need to be preserved. He sees the distance that would dramatically change what He desires to keep close. He sees the trap before we feel trapped. 

Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives a clear warning. Sometimes He gives a troubling image far outside our ordinary experience or imagination. Sometimes He simply lets a deal die. Sometimes He allows another door to close in such an unmistakable way that we recognize, Lord, this is You. You are closing these doors. If I were to go forward, it would be complete foolishness. 

The life of faith requires us not to disregard what His Spirit is saying. We may not understand why, but we can still obey. We can say, I believe You are telling me not to move forward, and I am not going to disregard what Your Spirit is saying. 

When what has happened becomes clear, gratitude rises. We look back and realize that the Lord was not withholding from us. He was shepherding us. He was sustaining us. He was keeping us from being trapped. His left hand was under our head, gently, invisibly, faithfully guiding us into His will. 

What a beautiful thing it is to be led by a Bridegroom who protects us, guides us, and orchestrates our circumstances, even when we do not know He is the One doing it. 

Application 

• Ask the Holy Spirit to make you sensitive to the doors He is closing and the doors He is opening. 

• Do not disregard what His Spirit is saying, even when you do not yet understand why. 

Prayer 

Thank You, my Messiah, my beautiful Bridegroom, for having Your left hand under my head. Thank You for strengthening me day by day, even when I do not realize You are doing it. Shepherd me into right decisions, right relationships, and the places You have chosen for me. Close every door that would trap me, and open every door that leads me into Your will. Help me never disregard what Your Spirit is saying. Amen.