But now, today, as civilization races toward a one-world government in which self-centered man will rule, a society in which the churches will be lukewarm in their attitude toward Jesus Christ, the Lord lets us know He is standing before the door of our heart.

Who is He who knocks thus?

He is the Divine Love who comes to find His complement, His counterpart, the helper suited for Him, the one who from now on will bring motivation to Him as He shapes the world of tomorrow.

But first He is the Lord of Hosts, the Lord strong and mighty in battle. "Open up you everlasting doors," He demands, "and the King of Glory will come in."

Warfare always comes before the blessing.

We are astonished. We are thrilled to realize we are "seeing" Him as He promised.

My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." (Song of Solomon 2:10-12—NIV)

We are elated for a season. And then He seems to leave. We are not as mature, as spiritually perfect, as we thought.

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 Solomon 5:6—NIV)

Now follows a season during which we experience conflict while the sin and self-seeking in us are exposed. It is as though God has turned away from us in anger. This experience of Divine judgment and warfare goes deep and may last for awhile.

After we have suffered for a season the Lord returns. Now we are ready to bear fruit that proceeds from His Life in us, not just from our efforts to tell about what we know of Him. The result of such fruit is power in the Kingdom of God.

I am a wall, and my breasts are like towers. Thus I have become in his eyes like one bringing contentment. (Song of Solomon 8:10—NIV)

But now we are not especially interested in power. So many Christians are seeking power with God! They show by this that they are immature. We do not receive genuine, lasting power until we come up out of the wilderness leaning on our beloved.

No, our goal is not power with God. Our goal is to know Him, to be an eternal part of Him, to bring contentment to Him.

Why would we seek power? To what end? So we can do great things for God? God is not looking for more christs who can do great things for Him! The Divine revelation we know as Christianity is a love story. It is almighty God looking for those whom He can bring into the Divine embrace.

There never is a shortage of power with God. God always is able to do as He will among the affairs of men. He can install nations and leaders and remove nations and leaders at His pleasure.

To be continued.