Here I sit, partaking in sweet communion with by kinsman-redeemer around the table he has set for his church, his bride. And as I sit here, thinking of this blessed fact, that I am his and he is mine, I consider the matchless love that has procured for me this spot in this dear seat. For you have shown that your covenant-mercy is beyond compare, and your love beyond reckoning, in that you have given unto me the dearest of all gifts, even the God-Man, Jesus Christ, the darling of heaven and earth. My Substitute, you took the place I earned, and for me the Fairest of the Fair was marred. Yet by your wounds, fairer you became to me, a helpless son of Adam, since my God, my Creator, and my Savior has become my Beloved, my Brother, and my Captain. By this great feat of conquering love, My Jesus, the Federal head of all my race, has bought for me precious gifts of inexplicable price. What tokens of love did I receive on that day: full pardon, a robe of divine righteousness, a standing above the hosts of heaven, a home in heaven, a savior on earth, a commission to pursue, and a purpose to fulfill.
Here I sit, thinking of such wondrous love, and such rich gifts, and wondering that so great a boon was given to one such as me. Yet, Oh Lord of Hosts, I humbly plead that such great store is too little for me. For though it is more than I merit, these gifts alone do not satisfy the longing of my spirit, there is more I seek. Oh, Holy God, hear my prayer, and grant me the desire of my heart. And though my petition is great beyond compare, and the pearl I desire is beyond price, yet will I ask it with all boldness, knowing that it shall be granted. Though you are a Great King, you love me as your own, and yet have freely given the Rose of Sharon to suffer in my place. How then shall you deny me my request, though I name the greatest prize, greater than even the universe could contain.
Here I sit, a suppliant at your table, boldly asking for just one thing, the only thing that will satisfy my longing heart. I ask of you, My Rock and Deliverer, that You, the Triune Jehovah, be given unto me. I ask that the Father, God of all flesh, Sovereign in authority, and Mighty in power be given unto me. None but your sovereign will, Omniscient God, will suffice to guide my steps and command my way, no created, limited Will, though it be the greatest in heaven or earth will I accept as substitute. None but your Mighty Arm will suffice to keep me uphold me in this dark world. No angel host, no arm of flesh, no power from within or without will I accept, only your almighty arm can be my stay. I ask that the Spirit of the Living God, bestower of grace and source of power, be given unto me. None but you, oh Blessed Comforter, can unite my heart to seek my God. No law of stone nor words of men will I accept to conform my wicked heart and bloody hands to Holiness, only the grace of God, bestowed directly upon my heart by the Spirit of Life in enough for me. None but your Power can invigorate this frail flesh of mine to serve effectively in the task to which I am called. No power of will nor strength of flesh will I accept to accomplish the divine work to which I am called, only the limitless power of the Spirit is enough for me. I ask that Jesus, my beloved, my Emmanuel, be given unto me: that He may abide with me, and I with him forever. None but you, Fairest Lord, will suffice to be the companion and lover of my soul. No earthly friend, nor soul-mate dear will I accept in place of you, to cheer my sorrow and calm my fears. No joy of earth nor love of kin can compare with your sweet presence. None but you, my beloved, can be for me an abiding place or source of rest. No home on this dark earth, nor place in heavenly light, whether now or in eternity’s long day will I accept: Only at your side, in spirit now and in glorified flesh in that great day, will I abide, no other place will content me. Oh, Lover of my Soul, be with me always, and let me be nowhere else but at your side, both now and for eternity.
Here I sit, once again a claimant of Divine Grace, desiring nothing less that You, yourself, oh Uncreated One, to be my portion. I offer nothing in return, for I have nothing to give for such a pearl of worth. I offer no merit of my own to justify my claim, for who among the sons of men have any merit to claim any good, much less the Ultimate Good, the Triune God. I offer only my ardent desire, and my determination to give up all else in pursuit of You. You shall have my Life, my heart, soul, mind, and strength, though little it be worth. I shall trust in no merit, save the merit I received from my Second Adam, Jehovah Tsidkenu. Three great facts give me boldness in my extravagant claim and support my supplication: Your promise, Your Covenant-Love, and Your Son, the mediator and High Priest of my race. Upon these great pillars I rest my claim, and will accept nothing less than this. Give me not riches, if you be not with them; give me not peace, if it be far from you; give me not power, if it be of flesh; give me no gift in heaven or earth, if it will take the place of you. Oh, Blessed Trinity, I will have nothing but you. Grant me my request, magnificent though it be, that my soul will be fully satisfied. And upon receiving, teach my spirit to seek nothing else besides you.
Here I rise, blessed among the sons of earth, for I have received that which I had no right of myself to seek, even God himself for my inheritance. So shall I ever glorify you, oh gift and giver, for giving me such an incomparable gift as yourself. Oh world, how faded and distorted do your glories seem now, which once seemed so bright in my view, for I have received a prize that you cannot even contain. Yea, even the eternal glories of the New Heaven and New Earth will seem but a shadow, compared to the glory found in the presence of the Most High. Hallelujah, Glory be to Jehovah, the Mighty God, who has condescended to give such a mighty portion to his people as He, Himself, and has contented himself with such a small and worthless portion as the race of Adam to be his people. Oh, portion of my soul, my one good, my one desire, my one love, let me ever be satisfied with you: My sovereign Father, Empowering Spirit, and Beloved Jesus. This alone is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of the Well-Beloved of my Soul, even Jesus Christ, the God-Man. Amen
