HIGHLANDS GRACE REFORMED CHURCH
514 N. Pine St.
Sebring, FL 33870
July 2005
"I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.”
Song of Solomon 7:10
The love of Christ for you is the most amazing truth in God’s word. Every page of God’s Word reveals this wonderful fact. He is continually reassuring and manifesting his love for you and desire toward you. The Bible doesn’t tell us that God puts up with us. It doesn’t tell us that he is barely capable of allowing us to come into his presence. He never hints that he isn’t extremely pleased to be with us. The Bible is so consistent regarding this precious truth. Think, for example, of his drawing with bands of love, with cords of a man. He knew how to bring new inclinations and desires into your heart so that you would come to him. Why? Because his desire is toward you. He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Where did the faith you have come from? It is his gift, not of works, lest any should boast. Why did he give you faith? Listen again – ‘His desire is toward me.’ He shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied. What gives your Lord more satisfaction than to see you come to him? There is joy in the presence of heaven’s angels when you repent. Why? His desire is toward me. No proof is greater than the monumental incident that took place outside the gates of Jerusalem at the place of a skull. Jesus’ crucifixion is the ultimate proof that his desire is toward you. Could he say it any plainer? I am convinced that God is virtually shouting to us in the gospel that his desire is toward me. Every time I open the Bible and read he is drawing me afresh and persuading me that his desire is toward me. Every sermon I hear God is telling me in yet another way that his desire is toward me. Every time I enter into his courts in prayer and enjoy Christian fellowship with fellow believers, I am being reminded and convinced again that his desire is toward me.
God also works providentially to convince you that his desire is toward you. He guides your steps and works in the world you live in so that you will know beyond question that his desire is toward you. Think of how he has guided you through your lifetime. Isn’t it obvious beyond question that his desire is toward you? Can you explain how your life has unfolded any other way? Despite all your foolishness and sin and wickedness God has guided you and kept you. He has put his hand on you and protected you time and again and has watched over you when you were in the most dangerous and deadly of places. Listen again – His desire is toward you.
His love is so powerful, that when you are at your worst it has the power to restore and renew and correct and heal you. Nothing in the universe is greater than his desire toward you. All the powers of the devil are nothing compared to it. They can’t stop his desire toward you. All the ungodliness in this present evil world isn’t able to entice you away from his desire toward you. They can’t break his desire and its action in your life. Your flesh is extremely strong, but is certainly no match for his desire toward you. Compared to anything else, nothing is a match for the desire Christ has toward you.
This desire of Christ’s is constant. It hasn’t diminished at all since he set his affection on you before the creation of the universe. In the vast uncharted region of eternity it never falters or weakens. His desire is toward you will always be the case. Never will you come to a Savior who doesn’t desire you.
The devil is busy trying to convince you otherwise. Don’t believe him for a minute. The flesh hesitates to believe such a wonderful truth. You’ve been disappointed before and had your hopes dashed. Disappointment is bitter and hurts, and you don’t want to be let down again. Don’t listen to your unbelief. Where is it leading you? Oh, what bitter and horrible places unbelief leads us to! Christ is telling you over and over that his desire is toward you. Believe him. Trust him. Give him your whole heart. Open up your life to him in every area. Don’t hesitate. Don’t hold back. Don’t resist. His desire is toward you. Believe his Word. He can’t lie. He’ll never disappoint you. He is calling to you right now. Don’t allow anything or anyone to distract or hinder you from his desire. Tell him how much you love him and want him. Come to him and enjoy his desire toward you. This is what you need more than anything.
Your pastor whose Lord Jesus’ desire is toward,
Ed Sager
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