January 19

Morning

On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him. — Song 3:1 BSB

Think about where you lost the closeness you had with Christ, and that’s where you’ll most likely find Him again. Did you stop praying and lose Him there? Then it’s in prayer that you need to seek and find Him again. Did sin cause the distance? You’ll only find Christ again by turning from that sin and asking the Holy Spirit to help you put it to death. Did you lose Him by neglecting the Bible? Then it’s in Scripture that you’ll find Him. The saying is true: “Look for something where you last had it—it’ll be there.” So search for Christ where you lost Him—He hasn’t gone anywhere.

But it’s hard work going back to where you lost Him. Bunyan tells us that the pilgrim found the path back to the Arbor of Ease, where he lost his scroll, to be the hardest road he had ever traveled. Twenty miles forward is easier than going one mile back for lost evidence of Christ. So, once you find Him again, hold tightly to Him.

But how did you lose Him in the first place? You’d think you’d never let go of such a precious friend—His presence so sweet, His words so comforting, and His companionship so dear! How could you not keep watch, every moment, to make sure you didn’t lose sight of Him? Still, since you’ve let Him go, what a mercy it is that you’re seeking Him again, even though you sadly cry, “Oh, how I wish I could find Him!” Keep seeking, because it’s dangerous to be without your Lord. Without Christ, you’re like a sheep without a shepherd, a tree without water, a dry leaf tossed by the wind. Seek Him with all your heart, and He will let Himself be found. If you truly give yourself to the search, you’ll discover Him once more—and with great joy.

Evening

Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. — Luke 24:45 BSB

Last night, we saw Jesus opening the Scriptures; now we see Him opening our understanding. Others can help us understand the Bible, but only Jesus can prepare our minds to truly receive it. Many can explain the Scriptures, but only the Lord can make those truths sink deep into our hearts. Jesus is different from all other teachers—others reach our ears, but He teaches our hearts. Others can explain the words, but He gives us a taste for the truth, allowing us to see its richness and meaning. Even the simplest person can become a wise scholar in the school of grace when Jesus, by His Holy Spirit, reveals the mysteries of God’s kingdom to them.

How blessed we are if our understanding has been opened by Jesus! How many people, despite their great learning, remain ignorant of the things that really matter? They may know the words of Scripture, but they don’t grasp its life-giving spirit. There’s a veil over their hearts that no amount of human reasoning can lift.

This was our situation not long ago. We, who now see, were once completely blind. Truth was like beauty in the dark—unnoticed and ignored. Without Jesus’ love, we would still be in total ignorance, for without Him opening our minds, we would never have understood spiritual truths. We would have been as powerless to understand as an infant climbing a mountain or an ostrich flying to the stars. Jesus’ school is the only place where God’s truth can be truly learned. Other teachers can tell us what to believe, but only Jesus can show us how to believe it. Let us sit at His feet, pray for His help, and trust that He will make our dull minds sharp and our weak understanding strong enough to grasp heavenly things.