The Turtledove . . .

Whenever I have run into difficult times, I have to remind myself of King David's secret hope. You see, there was a time when David, lamenting and complaining, wondered why God was angry with him. He called on God to “put out your hand and destroy my enemy" (see Psalm 74:11). In David’s mind, the enemies of God were taking control and in his despair, he prayed, "Don’t let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves . . ." (Psalm 74:19).

In the Scriptures, the turtledoves present a picture of devotion and covenant loving kindness. It is a sublime vision of earthly love and friendship. In fact, in the Hebrew sacrificial system the sacrifice of the two turtledoves is an offering that brings peace with God. The two turtledoves as a pair are accepted for the poor who could not afford to buy a lamb as a sacrifice. Their blood is sprinkled against the very same altar they offered the promised Sacrifice Lamb

Just like David, we can see yourselves as little turtledoves, surrounded by the traps and cunning of the wicked. It will encourage us in our most trying times, we see ourself as his lovebird, resting on his promise to keep us out of the snares of the wicked. Like a turtledove, we will long for the presence of our beloved Savior.

Personally, I like to picture Christ coming to me in the form of a dove—his Holy Spirit—revealing his constant love and continual care. How fantastic it is to know that such a great and majestic Father would condescend to relate to my needs as a turtledove. Hey! Didn’t He descend on Christ at the baptismal waters as a dove?

My friend, You are a child of God! He is your Father! Right now, are you going through a difficult time? Is there suffering in your home? Do you hurt? Sometimes do you find yourself confused because of the severity of it all? Does it seem like the problems, the times of struggle are coming, one-right-after-the-other? Does it seem as though it will never end? Well, remember that you are the Lord's little turtledove and he will never turn you over to the wicked one. He will deliver you from every snare of the enemy and show you how devoted he is to you in your hour of need. He is there beside you, at all times, as a dove, whispering, sharing his love with you.

Solomon, speaking of the coming Christ, said, "His eyes sparkle like doves beside springs of water; they are set like jewels washed in milk . . ." (Song of Solomon 5:12). In this particular case, the maiden seems at a loss for words to describe her Well-Beloved, so she gathers everything that she can conceive of in human beauty to depict her glorious Lord. He is indeed the One in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form; He is the One in whom is centered the sevenfold vision and power of God the Holy Spirit. (Revelation 5:6). So “His eyes are like doves, sitting by full streams” (Song 5:12).

And of the church, the Lord's beloved, it is written, "My dove, my perfect one, is one . . ." (Song of Solomon 6:9). We are one in Christ—his dove—a turtledove.

The sparrow falls to the ground, but not the turtledove. He is kept in the hollow of his hand, safe and secure in his love. Best of all, the Lord will deliver us out of our troubles and prove his everlasting faithfulness to us. We will come through it all rejoicing and in full rest and trust in his power and love.

For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after me. There is no savior besides Me.
So you are My witnesses, declares the Lord, and I am God.
Even from eternity I am He; Thus says the Lord your Redeemer,
The Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me.
Is there any God besides me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, and the One who formed you from the womb,
I, the Lord, am the Maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself,
and spreading out the earth all alone.

Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
I have sworn by Myself, the Word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back,
that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance
~Portions of Isaiah 43, 44 and 45

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