Blog Archives
Jesus – My First Love
Reading: Revelation 1-2:7
Scripture
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5 (NIV)
Observations
God is interested in my love ('agape' in the Greek). Yes, my good works, my obedience, my perseverance under hardship – all these are important, if not vital. But my affection toward him is the number one thing. “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:29-30).
My love for God is what energises my relationship. It determines how I relate to God, what I do, how I think, how I respond to things, how I spend my time. Take the love away and it becomes just a set of practices.
The love Jesus describes is not just a feeling. “Repent,” he says, “and do the things you did at first.” To repent is to “think differently i.e. reconsider, or change your mind.” To do the things you did at first implies that my love needs to be out-worked, revealing itself in my actions.
Application
It is possible for me to let my relationship with God slip, so that instead of the passionate all-consuming fervour and hunger that I once felt, it becomes just a set of religious practices, making me not much different than a Rotarian or a volunteer with an aid organisation.
What should absolutely define me is my love for God – expressed in the way I seek him, and make time with him my number one priority; expressed in my worship of him, and the conversation I have with him. And of course, expressed in my obedience to him, placing everything that I have into his hands. Love is like a fire that I need to regularly feed so that it burns strong and hot!
Prayer
Thank you Lord Jesus that not only do you know me, but you love me, and you actually value my love for you. What an incredible privilege! I choose to delight in you. Help me to draw close to you, and I pray that you would reveal yourself to me, that I might truly know you and love you.
See also: First Things First
When Your Words Come…
Reading: Jeremiah 10 – 15
Scripture
Think of how I suffered reproach for your sake. When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:15b-16 (NIV)
Observations
Right at the beginning, God had warned Jeremiah that in serving him, he would have “…to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land.” (Jeremiah 1:18). Yes, God promised to be with him and protect him, but what a life he must have lived; what a burden his calling must have been to bear. No doubt he longed to be welcomed and accepted by the people around him, but there was something he cherished far more – “When your words came…” Hearing from God was what Jeremiah lived for. His soul hungered for it. “I ate [your words]; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name…”
Application
I too have opportunity to hear the voice of God speaking to me. The wonder of that possibility is almost breathtaking, yet so easily disregarded or made light of. To hear the voice of God is not only a privilege – it is life-transforming. But it can only happen as I purposefully incline my heart towards him and seek him, like a flower unfolding its petals each morning and following the sun as it moves across the sky. It is intentional, and born out of both hunger and delight.
Prayer
Lord, I also bear your name. Like Jeremiah I have been called and your Spirit is within me. I have been bought for a price and I am yours. I too hunger for your words. As I read your Word, please speak to my heart. May I never be satisfied with just words on a page. Please bring them to life, and sharpen the acuity of my ears so that I might clearly hear your voice speaking to me. May nothing else in this life satisfy the longing of my heart like hearing you speaking to me. May that forever be my joy and my heart's delight.
See also Wake Up and Listen
Eating at the King’s Table
Reading: Isaiah 54 – 55
Scripture
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Isaiah 55:1 (NIV)
Observations
This chapter contains the special offer of a lifetime, an invitation directly from God to us to come to Him and be satisfied, at no cost to ourselves. The generosity of the invitation is unquestionable. We can enjoy God's faithful love, and our souls the richest of fare. All we need do is turn from our sinful ways and our selfish thoughts and turn to the LORD, and he will freely pardon. The outcome of this will be joy.
This requires a new way of thinking. We come to a generous and good God who has purposed in his heart to show us His grace, and his plans will surely come to fruition.
Application
Just as thirst and hunger are things I experience every day, and satisfy with water and food, I can expect to feel spiritual hunger and thirst often. This is normal. How amazing that God invites me daily to come to his dining room, to eat at the king's table, and there satisfy my hunger and quench my thirst. But what does this mean in practice?
To come, to seek, to listen, to give ear, to forsake old ways and turn to God, to draw near expectantly, to dig into his Word, to reach out to him. It's up to me to “eat what is good, and my soul will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:2
Prayer
I am so privileged Lord to be invited to your table. May nothing else satisfy my hunger and thirst. I most gratefully accept your generous invitation. May your thoughts become my thoughts, and your Word truly accomplish what you desire my life and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Sneaking Off With God... 