Dave and I find ourselves once again reading the daily devotions found in C. H. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening. It is amazing how applicable these timeless truths are to our every day struggles in the Christian life, particularly in times of trial, when the word of God and encouragement to focus on Him is most urgent. If you have never picked up a copy of this little gem, may I recommend it? You can read it online here, and get weekly doses from it every Sunday here. And make sure you get an edition with the original language. The beauty of the language adds to the message.
Last night, the thoughts were so applicable to the end of a day that felt heavy with burdens. Even though I had a fun and relaxing day (see my post on the other blog here), we had many friends who had heavy, hard days, and I carried their burdens with me all day long. And last night, I was encouraged at bedtime by C. H. S. to look at the loveliness of Christ, and find my rest there. I am copying it below for your edification as well...
“Behold, thou art fair, my Beloved.”
Song of Solomon 1:16
From every point our Well-beloved is most fair. Our various experiences are meant by our heavenly Father to furnish fresh standpoints from which we may view the loveliness of Jesus; how amiable are our trials when they carry us aloft where we may gain clearer views of Jesus than ordinary life could afford us! We have seen him from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, and he has shone upon us as the sun in his strength; but we have seen him also “from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards,” and he has lost none of his loveliness. From the languishing of a sick bed, from the borders of the grave, have we turned our eyes to our soul’s spouse, and he has never been otherwise than “all fair.” Many of his saints have looked upon him from the gloom of dungeons, and from the red flames of the stake, yet have they never uttered an ill word of him, but have died extolling his surpassing charms. Oh, noble and pleasant employment to be forever gazing at our sweet Lord Jesus! Is it not unspeakably delightful to view the Saviour in all his offices, and to perceive him matchless in each?—to shift the kaleidoscope, as it were, and to find fresh combinations of peerless graces? In the manger and in eternity, on the cross and on his throne, in the garden and in his kingdom, among thieves or in the midst of cherubim, he is everywhere “altogether lovely.” Examine carefully every little act of his life, and every trait of his character, and he is as lovely in the minute as in the majestic. Judge him as you will, you cannot censure; weigh him as you please, and he will not be found wanting. Eternity shall not discover the shadow of a spot in our Beloved, but rather, as ages revolve, his hidden glories shall shine forth with yet more inconceivable splendour, and his unutterable loveliness shall more and more ravish all celestial minds.
1 comment:
This is so insightful, Chris. Thanks for sharing what you are learning along the way. And, as you wrote about your husband, Dave, I was reminded of my mother, who now, praise God, has had 3 1/2+ years of clean follow-up tests after her cancer surgery/chemo/radiation. She has hardly slowed down a day since her original diagnosis though she has shifted some priorities.
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