I SOUGHT HIM, BUT FOUND HIM NOT!

I SOUGHT HIM, BUT FOUND HIM NOT!

It is often true that the God I love seems to have taken the day off. He is far away from me or, if He is near, has chosen to sit silently by while I pray…or while I suffer. He sometimes gives no indication that He is with me. For the careless there would be no need or reason to search for Him but for the lover there can be no calm of soul until He is found and communion restored. Such is the occasion of the maiden in Solomon’s Song.

Song 3:2

2 I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

The Commentary of Keil & Delitzsch suggests that this is a dream since such a night search would have been immodest for a maiden. She is not searching with feet and eyes but with her whole heart. There is such a longing for him that her sleep is disturbed.

The maiden is a type of the church because she is the “bride” and longs to be joined to her husband, Christ. Oh, how dry is the church where Christ is not evidently felt! Yet Christ allows this apparent absence to test the church’s love. Do we continue in formal and unsatisfying ritual or do we fall upon our faces and beg for His presence and power? The answer reveals the true heart of that church. If we seek Him we will find Him when we search for Him with all our heart.

Song 3:4

4 It was but a little [I hadn’t searched long or far] that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go…

          Seek Him this morning! Search for Him with all your heart. Tell Him, like lovers often do, that nothing else matters as long as He is near – and then believe what you have told Him! Whether the table holds only bread or is loaded with delicacies, it is a feast if God is there. Make it your business to find Him today and when you find Him do not let Him go!

Ps 63:1

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; AMEN

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES!

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES!

Lev 23:42-43

42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord  your God.

          The Feast of Tabernacles, or booths, required that the people leave their homes and construct a temporary home made from tree branches. The Jews were to remember for seven days all of God’s provision and protection while they wandered in the wilderness living in tents. Instead of giving proper study to this feast, I want to focus on a simple truth this morning and that is that this is a very temporary life.

          The Israelites must remember that even their homes were temporary although they were made of stone. Once every year, for seven days, they were to leave the comfort of those houses and dwell in makeshift lean-to’s to remember their journey. In the same way, we should remember the journey that brought us to this present place. Whatever we now call normal; whatever we now call home is temporary. God wants us to trust him for covering, protection and provision.

          Do not become so comfortable in your employment, your community or even your home that you become unwilling to “pull up stakes” and wander a little farther in the journey. George Morgan wrote an old country gospel song called “Mansion over the Hilltop.” In this song we are reminded that we have no permanent dwelling.

Tho' often tempted, tormented and tested
And, like the prophet, my pillow a stone;
And tho' I find here no permanent dwelling
I know He'll give me a mansion my own.

Dear Lord, however fancy and strong my present tabernacle may be, I know that it is temporary. I know also that you are always reliable. Thank you for the promise of a permanent dwelling. AMEN

LOVEST THOU ME?

LOVEST THOU ME?

John 21:14-17

14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

          Peter had publically denied the Lord three times before the crucifixion and now Jesus shows Himself for a third time. This time, it seems was purposeful and personal. It was for the restoration of Simon Peter!

          Peter had claimed that, while others may deny Jesus, he would never do such a thing. Jesus then sadly announced that indeed he would deny the Lord three times before the rooster crowed in the morning. It happened just as Jesus said (John 13:38). The bitter weeping that resulted was not only for his lost discipleship but because he did not know himself well enough to have accurately predicted his fall. Disappointment in self is a bitter thing.

          Peter thought that his discipleship had been forfeited by his denial so he returned to his former career path. He went fishing! This kind of fishing was not recreational but professional. He was a failure until the Lord showed up and told him to cast on the right side of the ship.

          This chapter is rich with teaching! They were a failure at night but were successful in the morning light. They caught fish only on the right (correct or appropriate) side of the ship. Peter was naked until he recognized the Lord. All these things lend themselves to preaching but they mostly miss the point of the chapter which was the restoration of Peter.

          When Jesus addressed Peter He uses his pre-Christian name of Simon son of Jonas. I think that is significant because Jesus addresses him as he thought he was. Peter had been named a little stone in Matthew 16:18. Now he thought he had forfeited that distinction.

          Three times, the exact number of times Peter had denied, Jesus asks Peter if he loved him. Step by step Jesus leads him back into a right relationship. Each time the Lord issues again the apostolic assignment to be a shepherd to the flock. Both the lambkins and the mature sheep need special care. Peter was reminded of his calling and his shame had to be replaced with fresh purpose. We lose our perspective and our purpose when we focus on ourselves instead of our mission. Have you failed in your promise of devotion? You are not ruined! Let Jesus restore you to fruitful service.

Dear Lord, thank you for your patience with us who are weak in our devotion. Thank you for making us useful once again. AMEN