Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Rev. 3:19-20
Dear Lord Jesus, every day we have the privilege of living the hymn “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go,” for you love us tenaciously and you pursue us constantly. As hard as it is to imagine, you desire fellowship with us, and not occasionally but continually. It’s even harder to imagine that you actually enjoy being with us. We believe; help our unbelief.
In the gospel, we already enjoy perfect and eternal union with you; but for various reasons, we tend to flow in and out of rich communion with you—as individuals and whole church families. The sad thing is, sometimes we don’t recognize our heart drift for a quite a while—days, even months. It’s usually the people around us who first recognize our heart drift, for rich fellowship with you changes the way we relate to everyone.
But no one cares about our cooling affections and wandering hearts more than you and you will not leave us alone. Hallelujah, you simply will not leave us alone. You redemptively “mess with us,” and we are so very thankful.
Jesus, there’s no greater rebuke than to hear you knock on the door of our hearts, yet that knock comes like a kiss. Nothing is more convicting than to hear your voice on the other side of that door, yet your voice is that of a bridegroom wooing his beloved bride. It’s because you love us that you confront us and discipline us. All of your rebukes are life-giving, and when you discipline us, though it’s painful, it’s for our good and our freedom. It’s your kindness that leads us to repentance.
Your knock and voice in the gospel are compelling, and by faith we rise to greet you right now. Come in and let us feast together this very day. You are the bread we need the most. You give the water that alone quenches our thirst. Only your love is better than life and bigger than our need. Only your love is soul-satisfying and heart-liberating.
Until the day when daily fellowship meals are replaced with a wedding feast, may we have to hear your knock way less often. So very Amen we pray with gratefulness, in your loving and glorious name.
