Dear Ones:
It is easy to forget that which is essential. When the Lord Jesus gave to John the Book of the Revelation, there was one letter that was addressed to the church at Ephesus, a church of impeccable doctrine and zeal. However, one thing was missing. The church had “…left its first love.” (Rev. 2:4) How could such a body of believers, who were so doctrinally sound, and filled with zeal, miss the most important thing? And, we must ask, “How do you know that it was the most important thing?” Simply, by the response of the Lord to the situation: “Repent, and do THE FIRST WORKS; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.” (v.5) What is this “first love?” It is simply the “first” affection, and consequent devotion. It is that primary, and personal love and devotion to Him who loved us…first.
We all know the story of Daniel and the lion’s den. What we often fail to grasp is the resolute determination of Daniel to not cease praying three times a day, giving thanks to God and worshiping Him. Here is a man at the pinnacle of his career, mature, mellow, and master of his responsibilities before King Darius. And yet, he had grasped well before this moment that the “first thing,” the most important thing, was the cultivation of his personal, profound love and devotion to Christ, and this by prayer, and the study of His word. He would not be moved from this, even for the sparing of his own life, or his future. Why? He had learned that communion with God was the greatest privilege and responsibility that we have…and it is the highest blessing.
Even Jesus, in the midst of his very demanding schedule during His ministry, would seek the solitude of the mountains, often rising up a great while before day. Why? To have fellowship with His Father, to ever cultivate that reality of his presence, power, and love.
Do we trust the Spirit of God to awaken us morning by morning, first of all, to seek the aloneness of fellowship with Christ in prayer and in His word? God speaks through His word to the heart, and to the mind. It is in that place of certain good, where we are alone with God, that He reveals Himself in a very real way to the heart. What we are in that place, tending to the first thing of “first love,” will determine what we will be out in the world. It was said of Stephen, the first martyr, “…all that sat in the council looking steadfastly on him saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” (Acts. 6:15) Where do you think such a “face” came from? Simply, from beholding the Lord Jesus in His word, and in prayer. Stephen was simply reflecting the great reality of the invisible Christ, with whom he had fellowship.
May we never forget to give our utmost attention to developing our fellowship, and love for Christ by the quiet meditation of His word, and by prayer and worship. If we tend to the first, most important thing, then all else will be clear.
Love, Dad