Christ wants His seeker to remain in the cross, in a crucified condition, continually (Gal. 2:20a; 1 Cor. 15:31; 2 Cor. 4:10-11). However, to remain in the cross is a difficult matter, like entering into the clefts of the rock and the covert of the precipice high in the mountains by a rugged road. In order to empower and encourage His lover to rise up and come away from her low situation in her introspection of the self, Christ empowers her by showing her the power of His resurrection (vv. 8-9a), and He encourages her by the flourishing riches of His resurrection (vv. 11-13). It is by the power of Christ’s resurrection, not by our natural life, that we, the lovers of Christ, determine to take the cross by denying our self (Matt. 16:24). It is also by the power of Christ’s resurrection that we are enabled to be conformed to His death by being one with His cross (Phil. 3:10). The reality of resurrection is the pneumatic Christ (John 11:25), who as the consummated Spirit indwells and is mingled with our regenerated spirit (1 Cor. 6:17 and notes). It is in such a mingled spirit that we participate in and experience the resurrection of Christ, which enables us to be one with the cross to be delivered from the self and to be transformed into a new man in God’s new creation for the fulfillment of God’s economy in the building up of the organic Body of Christ.

It’s just so difficult,

In these clefts to remain.

Naught but Your resurrection power

Could me sustain.

Lord, conform me now,

Daily to Your death.

Let me see Your countenance,

I am a dove,

In the clefts of the rock.

When the dove needed shelter for herself, she sought out the security of a cave or a cavern (Jer. 48:28). Here in the Song of Solomon, the dove matches and belongs to the unchanging rock that has been opened by cutting. May I live the dove life concealed in the Rock that has been opened through His wounds. In such a delightful union the bride is being adorned and made ready for her husband!

I am a dove in the clefts of the rock.