Have You Seen the One My Heart Loves?
The sermon explores the deep emotional and spiritual implications of losing God's gracious presence and the longing to restore that relationship.
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.
Text
"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!
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the longing for God's presence - Scriptural basis from Song of Songs - The significance of seeking God
- II points: - Understanding the loss of God's gracious presence - The emotional impact of this loss - Comparison with worldly losses
- III points: - The embittering nature of losing God's presence - How it affects all other losses - Personal testimonies of loss
- IV points: - The inadequacy of worldly comforts - The longing for spiritual fulfillment - The metaphor of day and night
- V points: - Soul losses versus outward losses - The unique pain of losing God's presence - The importance of soul mercies
- VI points: - The cost of recovering God's presence - The role of prayer and tears - The hope of restoration
Key Quotes
“The loss of God's gracious presence is the greatest loss.” — Thomas Brooks
“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!” — Thomas Brooks
“The loss of God's gracious presence is a loss which will cost a man dearly, before it will be made up again.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Reflect on your own relationship with God and the importance of His presence in your life.
- Engage in earnest prayer and seek restoration when you feel distant from God.
- Recognize that worldly comforts cannot replace the fulfillment found in God's gracious presence.