The Lord is pursuing you. Oh is he pursuing you! He is ready to show you his vast and gracious love. His love never fails and never falters. You can slap him and spit in his face, and he will only have love in his eyes for you. THAT is our God. THAT is the blessed Savior who hung on Calvary for your sins, for your mistakes, for your disobedience. He gave his life in pursuit of you.
I think of Barabbas, the first man saved by Christ's sacrifice. I think often how or if it changed his life when he realized what this man was doing. Barabbas was in prison for causing a violent uprising and murder, and the punishment for this was crucifixion. And here was this man, who had done nothing but shown love and save lives. Barabbas's sin was directly opposite of what Christ's life had been, and yet Christ took his punishment.
Did Barabbas's see the face of Christ and understand what Christ was doing? History shows nothing about Barabbas after this account of being freed. I yearn to know how his life changed when he saw an innocent man hanging on the cross in his place. Would that change your life? Would you be forever changed if you saw a man before your eyes being crucified in your place?
Well it happened. He thought of you on that cross. Your name was on his lips. He knew the eternal glory you would receive by him dying for you. Will you turn your face from him? Will you nullify his sufferings because it does not suit your lifestyle or reputation? God is there, ready to abundantly bless you!
Some do not pursue God because it seems hopeless or too hard to know the wisdom past saints did. But friend, WE HAVE THE SAME BIBLE! We have the same book those saints had centuries ago.
"Some people do not expect to see Christ. They read the life of Madame Guyon, and her soul-enchanting hymns, and they say, “Ah! a blessed woman this.” They take down the letters of Samuel Rutherford, and when they read them through, they say, “Enchanting epistles! a strange, marvelously good man this.” It does not enter into their heads that they may be Madam Guyons, and that they may have as much nearness to Christ, and as much enjoyment as Samuel Rutherford. We have got into the habit of thinking the saints gone by stand up in elevated niches for us to stare at them with solemn awe, and fancy that we can never attain to their elevation. Brethren, they are elevated certainly, but they beckon us to follow them, and point to a something beyond; they invite us to outstrip them, to get greater nearness to Christ, a clearer sense of his love, and a more ravishing enjoyment of his presence. You do not expect to see Christ, and therefore you do not see him, not because he is not there to be seen, but because your eyes are held through your unbelief. I do not know any reason why we should not be full of joy this morning; every believing soul among us. Why hang ye those harps on the willows, beloved? You have a trial, say you. Yes, but Jesus is in it. He says, “When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee, the floods shall not overflow thee.” Why not rejoice then, since the dear Shepherd is with you? What matters it though there be clouds? They are full of rain when He is there, and they shall empty themselves upon the earth.
Make it your prayer this morning, “Lord, open thou mine eyes that I may see my Savior present with me, and after once seeing him may I never let him go. From this day forth may I begin like Enoch to walk with God, and may I continue walking with God till I die, that I may then dwell with him forever.” I find it very easy to get near to God, compared with what it is to keep near. Enoch walked with God 400 years; what a long walk that was! What a splendid journey through life! Why should not you begin, dear Christian brother, today, if you have not begun, and walk with God through the few years which remain? Oh to get up above yon mists which dim the valley! Oh to climb the mountain’s top which laughs in the sunlight! Oh to get away from the heavy atmosphere of worldliness and doubt, of fear, of care, of fretfulness; to soar away from the worldlings who are always earth-hunting, digging into its mines and prying after its treasures, and to get up there where God dwells in the innermost circle of heavenly seclusion; where none can live but men who have been quickened from among the dead; where none can walk but men who are crucified with Christ, and who live only in him. Oh to get up there! where no more question concerning our security can molest us; where no carking care can disturb because all is cast upon the Lord, and rests wholly with him. Oh to live in such an entireness of confidence and childlike faith that we will have nothing to do with anything now except with serving him and showing forth the gratitude we owe to him who has done so much for us. Christ has called you to fellowship with himself, and he is not in the grave now. He is risen! rise you! He is ascended! ascend with him and learn what this meaneth, “He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." - Charles Spurgeon "Eyes Opened"
Friend, call to him. He is faithful to hear you. He loves you greatly sweet child. Go, he beckons. Run to him, in this very moment. Do you hear his still small voice? "Come, come sweet child of mine. I have loved you with an everlasting love, and I will continue to love you in my faithfulness. Come, let me love you."
He is yours to know. Know Him.
