Jesus is an intimacy junkie. That is my latest discovery. [Written 2-6-2009.] I have been studying a lot on love lately: Pastor Eric Vernelson’s Song of Songs series, The Shulammite by Michael Walsh, Unquenchable Fire by Teresa Eklund, Basilea Schlink’s “Bridal Love” and “Jesus Christ: The True Bridegroom” and currently Love – the Law of the Angels by Gwen Shaw. Then there is the very deep one: The Song of Songs A Mystical Exposition by Father Juan Arintero. I am finding a Savior who doesn’t just tell us to “pour out our longings” for our sake. No, Jesus craves the deep sharing of the human heart. He so wants us to come to Him with all that is in us: our desires, our dreams, what we do understand or don’t, what pains us, our struggles, the intricacies of our relationships, our successes, our failures, our victorious abiding, our sin. He delights, even burns, to know us at the most transparent level. When you begin to see this, you will run to Him as no human relationship compares with the intimate union that is available in Christ. It is so worth investing the hours alone with Jesus to know and be known by Him. As we give Him more of ourselves (the communication of our hearts), He reveals more of Himself (His heart). Truly, this is what fires passion. Truly, this is where the treasure is.
I spill out my heart to you and tell you all my troubles.
Psalms 34:17 (TPT)
Yet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles.
Psalms 62:8 (TPT)
Trust only in God every moment! Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him. Believe me when I tell you—he will help you! Pause in his presence
Psalms 62:2 (TPT)
He alone is my safe place; his wraparound presence always protects me. For he is my champion defender; there’s no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me?
Psalms 9:9 (TPT)
All who are oppressed may come to Yahweh as a high shelter in the time of trouble, a perfect hiding place.
INTIMACY or “into me You see” is a key part of the way out! Thus, and as we obey Him: “into Thee we see” in turn. The gaining of Christ is the Prize of prizes.
Amplified Bible Heb. 4:15-16
15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
love lessons 