May 28, 2019
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent. Revelation 2:5a
I got pulled over by the police on my honeymoon. My wife Joyce and I were driving south from Daytona Beach on our way back to West Palm Beach, and I was so in love with her, I had two eyes on her and no eyes on the road.
A policeman hailed me over and told me I had broken the 35 mph speed limit. I was surprised because I hadn’t seen a sign that changed the limit from 55 to 35. He said, “All right, young man, here’s what I want you to do. Turn around and drive back about three blocks. Look at the sign and go on.” That was my punishment.
The officer made me go back before I could go on. Did you know that the word “repent” literally means to turn around and go in the opposite direction?
That’s exactly what our Lord is saying to the church in Revelation 2: 4-5.
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent…”
What’s he saying?
“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Think about those times of your first love (how different now!) and turn back to me again…”
The Lord Jesus Christ is telling us to return to our first love, a passionate love for Him.
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”