He Won't Relent

Yesterday was my first Sunday back from my out-of-town trip. I am still astonished at how disoriented I became just from missing a single Friday Night Life and Sunday Service. I arrived 30 minutes late because I poorly managed time, knowing I had to pick up a fellow sister on the way to church. As I entered into "my" secretly-claimed second row, I thought to myself, "Hmm... they're probably on the second song -- and if things go "normally," they'll probably be done with praise and worship in one or two more songs. Guess I better get into it asap." I stood there, going through my ritual process of releasing to prepare for receiving. As I slowly lay down the built up burdens from the past two weeks at His feet (which was somewhat of an unfamiliar and excruciating process), God recognized the call from His beloved, and He answered -- oh so gently and sweetly.

Oh, how he DOES love us, as clearly depicted by the first song I heard upon entering the sanctuary. As I continue delving into the book "Completely His" by Shannon Ethridge, I am becoming more and more aware of the overwhelming intimacy our God OFFERS. It was hard for me to even begin to fathom such an intimacy to even believe it exists, but truly... He says to us... It DOES. I need to receive it, but how?

I am yearning to be wooed by my Bridegroom. After all, that's the clearest way I could imagine myself receiving such a level of intimacy. Pursue me, and I will be swept off my feet. Write me a love letter, Lord. As revealed by the book, that is EXACTLY what the Bible is... a love letter from the Bridegroom to His Beloved. Suddenly, I am filled with this giddy excitement inside, that "butterfly feeling" I used to only receive from human beings. But, as Shannon Ethridge pointed out, this is the difference: "Regardless of who or how many have left you, neglected you, or hurt you, you'll never have to count God as one of those people. It's not just that He won't. He can't. His very nature makes it impossible." Enough said, right? You've won me, Lord. I am YOURS... COMPLETELY Yours.

I woke up this morning to a song... A song I've heard many times before at church, but never bothered to bring home with me. It started out with a hum, a tune, then a few words, then more words... I'm not one to pick up lyrics very quickly. In fact, I'd have to Google it first, practice it a few times, then maybe I'll get it without cheating. But this morning, I felt that God had a little gift for me, and it was this song:

"You Won't Relent" - Kim Walker

You won't relent

Until You have it all

My heart is Yours

I'll set You as a seal upon my heart

As a seal upon my arm

For there is love that is as strong as death

Jealousy demanding as the grave

And many waters cannot quench this love

Come be the fire inside of me

Come be the flame upon my heart

Come be the fire inside of me

Until You and I are one

I don't wanna talk about you

Like you're not in the room.

I wanna look right at you

I wanna sing right to you

I thought to myself, "He's pursuing you, Yvonne. Say yes! Say yes!" Our God is a true Knight in Shining Armor... He won't relent until He has it all. He will fight for me to the death. It's just like a fairytale... except, it's REAL.

Temptation has been knocking at my door so frequently lately. Temptation in forms of pleasant distractions, false hopes, and selfish plans. I figure it's just like the devil to try to distract me and steal me away as I fall deeper and deeper in love with our Lord God Almighty. Though it is without a doubt difficult, I still choose to declare, "Not this time, devil. Not ever again."