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  HAVE YOU SEEN THE ONE MY HEART LOVES?
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: The sermon explores the deep emotional and spiritual
implications of losing God's gracious presence and the longing to
restore that relationship.

Topics: "Longing for God", "The Presence of God"
Scripture References: Psalm 30:5, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 51:11, Song of Solomon 3:1-5, Isaiah 59:2, Matthew 5:6, John 14:18, James 4:8

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound sorrow that accompanies the loss
of God's gracious presence, illustrating that this loss is the most
significant and embittering of all. He reflects on the deep longing for
God, as expressed in the Song of Solomon, and how the absence of divine
companionship can overshadow all other worldly losses. Brooks urges
believers to remain humble and recognize that no earthly comfort can
replace the joy of God's presence, which is essential for the soul. He
warns that recovering this divine presence requires earnest effort,
including heartfelt prayers and tears.

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CONTENT
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"All night long on my bed I looked for the One my

heart loves; I looked for Him but did not find Him."

Song of Songs 3:1

"Have you seen the One my heart loves?"

Song of Songs 3:3

"I opened for my lover, but my lover had left; He

was gone! My heart sank at His departure. I looked

for Him but did not find Him. I called Him but He

did not answer." Song of Songs 5:6

Let your hearts lie humble and low under the loss

of God's gracious presence.

The loss of God's gracious presence is the greatest loss.

The loss of God's gracious presence is a loss-embittering

loss; it is a loss that will greatly embitter all your worldly

losses. "I have lost my health, I have lost a precious child,

I have lost a gracious spouse, who was the delight of my

eyes and the joy of my heart; I have lost a costly estate,

I have lost an intimate friend, I have lost a thriving trade.

Oh, but that which embitters all my losses, and puts a sting

into them, is this--that I have lost the gracious presence

of God that once I enjoyed!"

The loss of God's gracious presence is a loss that all

outward comforts can never make up. When the sun

is set, nothing can make it day with us.

The loss of God's gracious presence is a soul loss; and

no losses can be compared to soul losses. As there are

no mercies compared to soul mercies, so there are no

losses to soul losses.

The loss of God's gracious presence is a loss which will cost

a man dearly, before it will be made up again. Oh the sighs,

the groans, the strong cries, the earnest prayers, the bottles

of tears that the recovery of the divine presence will cost!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/have-you-seen-the-one-my-heart-loves/
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