August 22

Morning

O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love. — Song 5:8 BSB

This is the cry of a believer yearning for the presence of Christ, sick with love for his Lord. True believers are never fully at peace unless they are near to Jesus, for when they drift from Him, they lose their tranquility. The closer they are to Him, the closer they are to the calm of heaven. The nearer they are to Him, the more their hearts are filled—not only with peace but with life, strength, and joy, for these are all tied to constant communion with Jesus.

What the sun is to the day, what the moon is to the night, what the dew is to the flower—Jesus is to us. What bread is to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and shade to the weary traveler—Jesus is to us. So if we are not closely united with Him, it’s no wonder our souls cry out, “Make this promise to me, O women of Jerusalem! If you find my Beloved, tell Him that I am sick with love!”

This deep longing for Jesus carries a blessing with it: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,” and even more so those who thirst after the Righteous One. Blessed is that hunger because it comes from God. If I cannot yet have the full joy of being filled, I will gladly embrace the blessedness of hungering for Christ. If I cannot feast on Him, I’ll find comfort in longing for Him. There is something sacred in this hunger, for it shines among the beatitudes of Christ. And with this hunger comes a promise: those who hunger will be filled. If Christ causes us to long for Him, He will certainly come and satisfy those longings. Oh, how sweet it will be when He does!

Evening

Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, — Eph 3:8 BSB

My Master has riches beyond counting, beyond reason’s grasp, beyond imagination’s reach, and beyond words to express! They are unsearchable! Study and weigh them as you may, but Jesus is a greater Savior than you could ever imagine—even when your thoughts are at their highest. He is more ready to pardon than you are to sin, more eager to forgive than you are to offend. He is more willing to meet your needs than you are to ask for help.

Never entertain small thoughts of my Lord Jesus. Even when you place a crown on His head, you may only be crowning Him with silver when He deserves pure gold.

My Master has riches of happiness to give you right now. He can make you rest in green pastures and lead you beside still waters. There is no music like the music of His voice when He, as the Shepherd, gathers His sheep to rest at His feet. No love on earth or in heaven can compare to His. To know Christ and be found in Him—that is life, joy, and abundance! It’s like feasting on the richest food, a banquet of the finest wine.

My Master is no miserly king. He gives as a king gives to another king. He offers two heavens to His servants: one below as we serve Him here, and one above as we delight in Him forever.

The riches of Christ will be best known in eternity. On the way to heaven, He will give you all you need—your refuge will be strong, your bread will be provided, and your water will be sure. But it is there, there in eternity, where you will hear the songs of the victorious, the shouts of the feast, and see the glory of the One you love face-to-face. The unsearchable riches of Christ—this is the melody of earth’s minstrels and the song of heaven’s harpers! Lord, teach us more and more of Jesus, that we may share this good news with others!