March 9

Morning

His mouth is most sweet; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. — Song 5:16 BSB

The matchless beauty of Jesus draws us not just to admire Him, but to love Him deeply. He is more than just beautiful and pleasing—He is completely and perfectly lovely. The people of God can wholeheartedly testify to this, for He is the object of their deepest affection, a love that is grounded in the excellence of His nature and the perfection of His qualities.

Look, disciples of Jesus, at your Master’s lips and tell me—aren’t His words sweet? Don’t they make your hearts burn within you as He speaks with you? O worshipers of Immanuel, gaze upon His head, shining like fine gold, and tell me—aren’t His thoughts precious to you? As you bow in humble adoration before Him, doesn’t your love for Him grow even stronger? Is there any part of Him that doesn’t captivate your heart? Is there anything about Him that doesn’t draw you closer in love? Every part of Him is like a magnet for our souls. Every role He plays, every aspect of His being, binds our hearts to Him.

Our love isn’t only set upon His heart of love but also upon His strong arm of power. There isn’t a single part of Him that doesn’t inspire our devotion. We anoint His entire being with the perfume of our love. His entire life we seek to imitate, and His entire character we long to reflect. In every other person, we see some flaw, but in Him, there is absolute perfection. Even the most honored saints have blemishes, but Jesus is pure and spotless. All the suns of this world have their dark spots, and even the earth has its wilderness, but not Jesus. He is pure gold without any impurity—light without darkness—glory without any cloud. Yes, “He is altogether lovely!”

Evening

Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. — John 15:4 BSB

Communion with Christ is the sure cure for every trouble. Whether we are tasting the bitterness of sorrow or experiencing the cloying sweetness of worldly pleasures, close fellowship with the Lord Jesus will remove the bitterness from the former and the emptiness from the latter. Live near to Jesus, and it won’t matter whether you find yourself on the mountain of honor or in the valley of humiliation. When you walk closely with Him, you are covered by the wings of God, with the everlasting arms beneath you.

Don’t let anything keep you from this precious fellowship, which is the highest privilege of a soul united to Christ. Don’t be satisfied with just occasional visits—seek to remain in His company continually, for only in His presence can you find true comfort and safety. Jesus should not be a friend who visits you occasionally but rather the one who walks with you always. Your journey to heaven is difficult, traveler, so make sure you don’t go without your Guide. If you must pass through the furnace of trials, don’t enter unless, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you have the Son of God with you. If you must battle the Jericho of your sinful nature, don’t engage in the fight unless, like Joshua, you’ve seen the Captain of the Lord’s army with His sword drawn. If you must face the Esau of your temptations, don’t confront him without first wrestling in prayer, like Jacob, and laying hold of God’s promises.

Whatever your situation, whatever your condition, you need Jesus—but most of all, you’ll need Him when the iron gates of death open before you. Stay close to your heavenly Bridegroom, lean on His chest, ask Him to refresh you with the wine of His love, and at the last, He will present you spotless and without blemish. Since you have lived with Him and in Him here, you shall live with Him forever.