December 15, 2018

Feeling lonely?


Billy Graham once said that if you feel incredibly alone, even when with many friends, it is God crooking His finger and calling you to “Come here.”

Tozer describes it this way: “There is a spiritual loneliness, an inner aloneness, an inner place where God brings the seeker, where he is as lonely as if there were not another member of the Church anywhere in the world. Ah, when you come there, there is a darkness of mind, an emptiness of heart, a loneliness of soul, but it is preliminary to the daybreak. O God, bring us, somehow, to the daybreak!”

Tozer calls this coming a daybreak, a renewal, even an experience of “exploding love.” The best way he knows how to describe it is by this passage that describes that final and eternal meeting with Christ, where our hearts are fully satisfied as we enter His presence . . .

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. ‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Revelation 22:12–17)

Those who have worked hard know the delight of being rewarded for their efforts (just as those who slacked off know the justice of no reward). Those who have been covered in filth and then washed and clothed in a freshly laundered garment know the joy of finally being clean. Those who have been deprived of water and are truly thirsty know the delight of pure, clean water trickling or pouring into their mouths. And those who belong to Jesus know the eager wonder in their hearts when they hear Him say “Come.”

We say it to each other. “Come to Jesus.” We know that all He offers is without price — for the price was paid at Calvary. Eternity with Jesus is ours. Anyone who is thirsty only needs to come.

^^^^^^^
Jesus, my heart leaps for joy at Your invitation. You called “come” nearly fifty years ago and since then, every time I hear the echo of Your call, I shake my head in wonder, then nod my head to say, “I am here with you.” You keep blessing me and for this I am eternally grateful!


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