Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:19-20
Dear Lord Jesus, every day I have the sublime privilege of living the hymn, “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” for you are undaunted in your affection and unrelenting in your pursing. As hard as it is to imagine, you want to fellowship with me… with me… not occasionally, but continually.
In the gospel I enjoy eternal union with you, but in the daily-ness of life, I know my tendency to be in and out of vital communion with you. And the sad thing is, sometimes I don’t even recognize my heart-drift for a while. It’s usually the people around me that first recognize my being out of fellowship with you. More often than not, it’s the members of my family. I’ve got enough toys, “meds,” religious activity going on to keep me oblivious… for a while. That’s simply not okay, not okay at all.
It’s because you love me that you rebuke and discipline me. All of your rebukes are life-giving and when you discipline me, it’s for my good and my freedom. There’s no greater rebuke than to hear your knock on the door of my heart. But at the same time, that knock comes like a kiss. There’s no greater discipline than to hear your voice on the other side of that door, yet that voice is that of a Bridegroom to a beloved bride.
Jesus, right now, I hear your knock and your voice in the gospel, and through the resources of that same gospel, I earnestly repent. Come on in and let’s feast together today, all day long. You are the Bread I need the most. You give the water that alone quenches my thirst. “Being with you, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26).
Until the Day when daily fellowship meals are replaced with a Wedding Feast, may I have to hear your knock way less often. So very Amen, I pray, in your outrageously loving name.
