September 3

Morning

Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions? — Song 1:7 BSB

It’s a great blessing to be able to say without hesitation or doubt, “You whom my soul loves.” Many people can only say they hope they love Jesus or trust that they love Him, but such a shallow experience shouldn’t be enough. No one should rest easy until they are completely sure about something as important as this. We shouldn’t be satisfied with a vague hope that Jesus loves us or a mere wish that we love Him. The saints of old didn’t usually speak with “ifs” and “buts.” Paul said confidently, “I know whom I have believed,” and Job declared, “I know that my Redeemer lives.”

You should strive for certainty in your love for Jesus and not be content until you can confidently speak of your relationship with Him, assured by the Holy Spirit’s witness in your heart. True love for Christ is always the work of the Holy Spirit and must be formed in your heart by Him. He is the one who creates that love in us.

Yet the reason we love Jesus comes from who He is and what He’s done for us. Why do we love Him? Because He first loved us. Why do we love Him? Because He “gave Himself for us.” We have life because He died; we have peace because He shed His blood. Though He was rich, He became poor for our sake. Why do we love Jesus? Because of His excellence. We are captivated by His beauty, amazed by His charm, and in awe of His infinite perfection. His greatness, goodness, and loveliness come together in one radiant expression, capturing our hearts until we cry out, “Yes, He is altogether lovely!” This is a love that binds our hearts with cords softer than silk but stronger than steel.

Evening

The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence. — Ps 11:5 BSB

Everything in life is under God’s providential control, which means all the trials we face are ultimately allowed by Him. Out of the great gate of God's plan, trials march forth like armies, clad in iron armor and armed for battle. Every event in our lives, even our blessings, can bring challenges. Just like roses come with thorns, even prosperity can lead us astray as easily as hardship. There is no mountain too high or valley too low to escape temptation—trials are everywhere. Yet, no difficulty comes without God’s permission; every trial is sent with purpose.

These trials are meant to test and strengthen our faith, to demonstrate the power of God's grace in our lives, and to prove the authenticity of our virtues. Our loving Lord values our faith so highly that He will not protect us from the very trials that are meant to make our faith stronger. If your faith had never been tested, it wouldn’t be as precious as it is now. Just as a tree’s roots grow stronger when rocked by the wind, your faith takes a firmer hold on God's promises through the trials you endure.

Worldly ease weakens faith—it makes us spiritually lazy and saps our courage. Like a balloon that cannot rise until its cords are cut, affliction frees us from worldly attachments and lifts us closer to God. Grain is of no use to anyone while it’s still in the husk; it must be separated to reveal its true value. Likewise, God tests the righteous, and through these trials, they grow rich in faith.