“By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him. ‘I will rise now,’ I said, ‘And go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.’ I sought him, but I did not find him.” (Song of Solomon 3:1–2, NKJV)

A true characteristic of love is that it pursues its beloved. When we love someone we want to spend time with that person. On the other hand, when we hate someone we find ways to avoid being around that person.

As the Shulamite was on her bed at night she thought about her beloved. It’s possible that she began dreaming about looking for him, going into the city and searching in the streets and squares, but she could not find him. Love’s longing turns to heartsickness when it cannot obtain what it desires.

Whom are we seeking? Who is the one who gladdens our heart? This longing of love carries over to our relationship with the Lord. Do we think about Him when we’re lying on our bed at night?

“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.” (Psalm 63:6, NKJV)

David longed for God because God had been his helper and refuge in every storm. Do we seek the Lord with the same passion as the Shulamite searched for her beloved? Do we earnestly desire to spend time with Him? And if we cannot find Him do we become heartsick? Or are we content to remain at a distance?

“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, NKJV)

The Song of Solomon calls us to remember our first love and to seek His face.