Winter 1999
The Lords Waiting Room
By Linda Seres

"Draw me, we will run after Thee: the King hath brought
me into His chambers." Song of Solomon 1:4a

Just before the entrance that leads into the Chamber of the intimate presence of the Lord, is His waiting room, the place where we are made ready to enter.

This "waiting room" is a place where few remain to seek entrance, for the room has nothing within to entertain. There is no clock on the wall, nor is there a receptionist to assure us that our time to enter will shortly come. Also the door that leads into the Chamber is tightly closed, offering no glimpse of what is beyond.

There are many empty chairs in this room since most will leave because of the delay in being called to enter. For those who choose to remain, the barrenness and stillness of the room directs them to self-examination. Thus, these few do not talk or notice each other.

"My mother's children were angry with me; they made me
the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have
I not kept" Song of Solomon 1:6b.

As we recognize our need and our confession flows out from deep within, a new desire begins to form and rise - a question to ask the Lord when we are finally bidden into His presence.

"Tell me, O Thou whom my soul loveth, where You feed,
where You make Your flock to rest at noon: for why
should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks
of Your companions? Song of Solomon 1:7.

Once we have experienced His presence, we will no longer be satisfied with information about Him, which we had been accustomed to receive from others. Now we feel the urgency to come into His presence and partake of Him alone. We have tasted, and we are forever ruined.

No longer are we concerned with the length of the wait; but rather, we anticipate the satisfaction we will receive, when once we have come within His chamber.

Now the "waiting room" has become a place of blessed anticipation in which we are being made ready for his highest and best.