Church is not to forget that her very relationship to Christ involves
3. It is spousal service.—Though partner of his throne and heart, the Church is not to forget that her very relationship to Christ involves duties of service. "He is thy Lord, worship thou him" (Ps. 45:11). This part of service must, of course, be rendered to himself alone—the service of the wife to the husband. It will be loving, endearing, happy service; but still it will be service—service to her Lord—service which none but a wife can render, and which none but a husband can receive—service which the world knows not of, and which too many of the saints seldom seem to think of. And though in the Song of Solomon it is enjoyment, not service, that is presented to us, yet let us keep in mind that enjoyment is not everything; it must alternate with service, else it ceases to be relished. There is the enjoyment when "the Beloved goes down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies" (Song 6:2). But there is the service too, when "they rest not day nor night" in his presence, but "serve him in his heavenly temple" (Rev. 7:15).
Bride of the Lamb! thou hast in weakness and tears been trying to serve thy Lord here, in absence; but the time is at hand when thou shalt serve in the fulness of thy strength and gladness, in his immediate presence. And if to serve him here, in the midst of such hindrances, and with such a cold heart, be blessed, what will it be when thou shalt be able to serve him with a perfect heart, and with all obstruction for ever removed?
Bride of the Lamb! remember thy heavenly calling, thy mighty hopes, thy relationship to God's Son, that thou mayest be roused and cheered; yet forget not thy lowly ancestry, thy native unworthiness, thy unfitness for the honour, thy unlikeness to Him who calls thee "wife," that thou mayest be truly humbled. "He is thy Lord, worship thou him." He is thy Lord, let thy desire be to him. Forget not the reverent love that thou owest him—the adoration, the obedience, the service, that are his due. Serve him even as in his lowliness he has served thee! Count all things but loss in the performance of this service here, and hasten onward with eager gladness to the day of fuller, happier, truer service hereafter!