“I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, ‘Open for me…'” (Song of Solomon 5:2 NKJ).
Part Two
This verse is good news. The voice of the beloved who knocks is that of Christ, Who neither slumbers nor sleeps. He is waking up His drowsy, indolent Church. His tender language to the sleeping Church of Laodicea was: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Rev. 3:20 NKJ).
Although His disciples fell asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus did not sleep. He was so intensely engaged in prayer that He sweat great drops of blood. It was for them, the ones who slept, that He was awake and interceding.
I once went through a really dry period in my life. I tried reading the Bible, but was too apathetic to concentrate on what I was reading. I tried praying, but soon became drowsy and could not stay awake. I went to church, but my mind was on other things. I was there physically, but not mentally or spiritually.
In relationships, I made all the right sounds and gestures, but my spiritual condition was one of numbness, dullness, and stupor.
God graciously woke me from my lethargic condition. He did not censure me, reprove me, or treat me harshly. Rather, He lovingly touched the strings of my heart and tuned it to respond to His love.
The promise of the Lord is that nothing will be able to separate us from His love (Rom. 8:39). In Hebrews 7:25 we read that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us. Jesus is praying for us and our spiritual condition right now! What a comforting thought!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.