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 (ESV)
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 hold us tightly. As hard as it is to imagine, you desire fellowship with us, not occasionally, but continually. It’s even harder to imagine that you actually enjoy being with us. We believe, help our unbelief, Lord.
In the gospel we enjoy eternal union with you, but for various reasons, we tend to flow in and out of robust communion with you. The sad thing is, sometimes we don’t recognize our heart-drift for a quite a while—days, even months later. It’s usually the people around us that first recognize our being out of communion with you, for rich fellowship with you changes the way we relate to everyone.
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 pursuing, beckoning, and wooing us—your beloved Bride. It’s only 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 always for our good and for our freedom. It’s your kindness that leads us to repentance. There’s no guilt left and you’ll never shame us. Hallelujah.
Jesus, we hear your knock and your voice in the gospel, more so than anywhere else; and by faith, we rise to greet you in this moment. 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. Until the Day when daily fellowship meals are replaced with a Wedding Feast, may we have to hear your knock on the outside of the doorway less often. So very Amen we pray with gratefulness, in your irrepressibly loving name.