Seeking and Holding the Beloved: A Journey of Love

Devotional

Day 1: The Relentless Pursuit of Christ

The journey of faith begins with a profound love for Christ that compels us to seek Him relentlessly. This pursuit is not driven by a desire for His gifts or blessings but for His very presence, which is the ultimate reward for the soul that loves Him. The soul that truly loves Christ cannot be content with distance; it longs for communion and closeness. This love is born out of a deep recognition of Christ's love for us, a love that was demonstrated on the cross. It is this love that compels us to seek Him, to pursue Him with all our heart, even when He seems distant. The experience of seeking and not finding can be a painful one, but it serves to deepen our appreciation for His presence when we do find Him. [07:08]

Song of Solomon 3:1-2 (ESV): "On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively seek Christ's presence in your life today, beyond your usual routine or practices?

Day 2: The Sorrow of Christ's Absence

Experiencing the absence of Christ can be a profound sorrow, yet it serves to heighten our appreciation for His presence. This absence teaches us the value of His companionship and the joy that comes with finding Him again. The soul that has tasted the sweetness of Christ's presence yearns for more and feels the pain of His absence deeply. This longing is not for the casual observer but for those who are deeply committed to the faith. It is in these moments of absence that our faith is tested and strengthened, as we learn to trust in His promise to never leave us nor forsake us. [09:08]

Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV): "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from Christ. How did that experience deepen your appreciation for His presence, and what steps can you take today to draw closer to Him?

Day 3: The Joy of Encountering Christ

Finding Christ is a deeply personal encounter that brings unparalleled joy. This joy is rooted in the assurance of His love, a love that is as profound and unchanging as the love between the Father and the Son. It is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment but a deep, personal encounter where the soul recognizes His presence, His love, and His sacrifice. This encounter brings with it an overwhelming joy, a joy that surpasses all earthly pleasures. It is a joy that is rooted in the assurance of His love, a love that is as profound and unchanging as the love between the Father and the Son. [20:06]

1 Peter 1:8-9 (ESV): "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt the joy of Christ's presence. How can you cultivate more of these moments in your daily life?

Day 4: The Commitment to Hold Onto Christ

Once we have found Christ, the challenge is to hold onto Him. This requires a conscious effort to maintain communion with Him, to prioritize His presence above all else. It involves a commitment to live in obedience, to renounce anything that might come between us and our beloved. Holding onto Christ means making Him our all in all, trusting in His power to keep us close to Him. This commitment is not a one-time decision but a daily choice to seek His presence and live in accordance with His will. [23:24]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to prioritize Christ's presence more? What practical steps can you take to ensure that nothing comes between you and your relationship with Him?

Day 5: Sharing Christ's Presence with Others

We are called to bring Christ into our community, to share the joy of His presence with others. Through our spirit, words, and prayers, we can bring Christ into our community, creating a space where His love is shared and celebrated. As we gather together, each one bringing their experience of Christ, we create a space where His presence is felt more deeply. This communal sharing of Christ's love not only strengthens our own faith but also encourages and uplifts those around us. It is a powerful testimony of His love and grace at work in our lives. [39:10]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who is one person in your community that you can share the joy of Christ's presence with today? How can you intentionally create a space for His love to be felt and celebrated together?

Sermon Summary

In the sacred text of the Song of Solomon, we find a profound expression of love and longing that resonates deeply with those who have experienced the intimate relationship with Christ. This passage, "I found him whom my soul loveth," speaks to the journey of seeking, finding, and holding onto the beloved, which in our spiritual context, is Christ himself. This journey is not for the casual observer but for those who are deeply committed to the faith, those who have tasted the sweetness of Christ's presence and yearn for more.

The journey begins with love. The soul that loves Christ cannot be content with distance; it longs for communion. This love is not born out of obligation but out of a deep recognition of Christ's love for us, a love that was demonstrated on the cross. It is this love that compels us to seek Him, to pursue Him with all our heart, even when He seems distant. The experience of seeking and not finding can be a painful one, but it serves to deepen our appreciation for His presence when we do find Him.

Finding Christ is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment but a deep, personal encounter. It is the moment when the soul recognizes His presence, His love, and His sacrifice. This encounter brings with it an overwhelming joy, a joy that surpasses all earthly pleasures. It is a joy that is rooted in the assurance of His love, a love that is as profound and unchanging as the love between the Father and the Son.

Once we have found Him, the challenge is to hold onto Him. This requires a conscious effort to maintain communion with Him, to prioritize His presence above all else. It involves a commitment to live in obedience, to renounce anything that might come between us and our beloved. Holding onto Christ means making Him our all in all, trusting in His power to keep us close to Him.

Finally, we are called to bring Christ into our community, to share the joy of His presence with others. This can be done through our spirit, our words, and our prayers. As we gather together, each one bringing their experience of Christ, we create a space where His presence is felt more deeply, where His love is shared and celebrated.

Key Takeaways

1. Love's Pursuit: True love for Christ compels us to seek Him relentlessly. This pursuit is not just a desire for His gifts but for His very presence, which is the ultimate reward for the soul that loves Him. [07:08]
2. The Pain of Absence: Experiencing the absence of Christ can be a profound sorrow, yet it serves to heighten our appreciation for His presence. It teaches us the value of His companionship and the joy that comes with finding Him again. [09:08]
3. The Joy of Finding: Finding Christ is a deeply personal encounter that brings unparalleled joy. This joy is rooted in the assurance of His love, a love that is as profound and unchanging as the love between the Father and the Son. [20:06]
4. Holding Onto Christ: Maintaining communion with Christ requires effort and commitment. It involves prioritizing His presence, living in obedience, and renouncing anything that might come between us and our beloved. [23:24]
5. Bringing Christ to the Community: We are called to share the joy of Christ's presence with others. Through our spirit, words, and prayers, we can bring Christ into our community, creating a space where His love is shared and celebrated. [39:10]
** [39:10]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Introduction to Love's Vigilance
[01:04] - The Inner Circle of Believers
[02:45] - Sharing Heartfelt Experiences
[03:16] - The Spouse's Progress: Love
[06:49] - Seeking the Beloved
[09:08] - The Pain of Not Finding
[11:32] - Finding the Beloved
[14:38] - Beyond the Means of Grace
[19:52] - Assurance of His Love
[22:19] - Holding the Beloved
[28:28] - Faith as a Holdfast
[31:54] - Bringing Him to the Mother's House
[36:47] - Sharing the Beloved with Others
[39:55] - Conclusion and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does the phrase "I found him whom my soul loveth" signify in the context of the Song of Solomon? How does this relate to the believer's relationship with Christ? [00:15]
In the sermon, what are the three preliminary steps in the spouse's progress before reaching the text? [03:16]
How does the speaker describe the experience of seeking Christ but not finding Him? What emotions are associated with this experience? [09:08]
What does the speaker suggest is the significance of bringing Christ into "my mother's house"? [32:12]

Interpretation Questions

How does the speaker interpret the act of seeking Christ as described in the Song of Solomon? What does this pursuit reveal about the nature of love for Christ? [07:08]
What might the speaker mean by "holding onto Christ" and how does this relate to the believer's daily life and spiritual practices? [23:24]
How does the sermon suggest that the absence of Christ can deepen a believer's appreciation for His presence? What lessons can be drawn from this experience? [09:08]
In what ways does the speaker encourage believers to bring Christ into their community, and what impact does this have on the church as a whole? [39:10]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt distant from Christ. What steps did you take to seek Him, and how did that experience affect your faith journey? [09:08]
Consider the ways you currently prioritize Christ's presence in your life. Are there specific areas where you feel challenged to hold onto Him more firmly? [23:24]
How can you actively share the joy of Christ's presence with others in your community? Identify one practical way to do this in the coming week. [39:10]
The sermon speaks of the joy found in a personal encounter with Christ. How can you cultivate moments of joy in your relationship with Him amidst daily life? [20:06]
What are some potential distractions or obstacles that might come between you and Christ? How can you address these to maintain a closer communion with Him? [23:24]
How can you use your personal experiences of Christ's love to encourage and uplift others in your church community? [39:10]
Reflect on the idea of bringing Christ into "my mother's house." How can you contribute to creating a space in your church where His presence is deeply felt and celebrated? [32:12]

Sermon Clips

The soul that loves Christ cannot be content with distance; it longs for communion. Love will do anything to get at the object of its affection. Where there is true love to Jesus Christ, we cannot bear to be away from him, and since we must be so in personal presence for a while, we long to be with him in heart. [00:07:08]

Experiencing the absence of Christ can be a profound sorrow, yet it serves to heighten our appreciation for His presence. It teaches us the value of His companionship and the joy that comes with finding Him again. If we always had high days and holidays, we might not be so thankful when our Gara days come round. [00:09:08]

Finding Christ is a deeply personal encounter that brings unparalleled joy. This joy is rooted in the assurance of His love, a love that is as profound and unchanging as the love between the Father and the Son. It is good to find sound Doctrine, but never be content till you can say I found him. [00:20:06]

Maintaining communion with Christ requires effort and commitment. It involves prioritizing His presence, living in obedience, and renouncing anything that might come between us and our beloved. Renounce all else for him, for he sees that you truly love him when you count all things but dross for his dear sake. [00:23:24]

We are called to share the joy of Christ's presence with others. Through our spirit, words, and prayers, we can bring Christ into our community, creating a space where His love is shared and celebrated. Silent worshippers can contribute very greatly to the communion of saints. [00:39:10]

I have known some who love the Lord to be very happy while the preacher is proclaiming the truth to them, but they have stopped with the preacher and have gone no further. This will never do, dear friends. Do not be content to abide with us who are only Watchmen, but go beyond us and seek till you find our master. [00:13:39]

I cannot speak to you as I would wish; my words cannot express the joy of heart which I feel in knowing that I have found him, that he is with me, and that he has loved me with an everlasting love. I shall never understand even in heaven why the Lord Jesus should ever have loved me. [00:20:52]

I do not find it difficult to get into communion with Christ, but I confess that I do not find it so easy to maintain that communion. So that if you have found him, do as the spouse says that she did: I held him. How are we to hold Christ? Well, first let us hold him by our hearts. [00:28:28]

If you have come as far as that, and if you have not, may God help you to this point right speed. Come to the table of your Lord. You are indeed his children, so you have a right to come. Hear the king's invitation: eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. [00:31:54]

I do hope that all the members of this church love the whole Church of God and also have a special affection for that particular part of it in which they were born for God. It would be unnatural, and Grace is never unnatural, though it is supernatural. [00:36:47]

I long to see him flying on the wings of the wind and not in the car of my feeble language. Yet has he come to you many a time that way, and you have been glad. Let him come as he will, if he will but come. It is our delight to bring him into our mother's house. [00:39:55]

I have known him reveal himself to his people most delightfully, but they have grown cold and wayward and foolish, and he has been obliged to go away from them. When you get to the top of the mountain, it needs great grace to keep there. [00:22:19]

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