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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING
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Sunday, November 18, 2007
MORNING:
"A spring shut up, a fountain sealed."
-- Song of Solomon 4:12
In this metaphor, which has reference to the inner life of a believer,
we have very plainly the idea of secrecy. It is a spring shut up: just
as there were springs in the East, over which an edifice was built, so
that none could reach them save those who knew the secret entrance; so
is the heart of a believer when it is renewed by grace: there is a
mysterious life within which no human skill can touch. It is a secret
which no other man knoweth; nay, which the very man who is the
possessor of it cannot tell to his neighbour. The text includes not
only secrecy, but separation. It is not the common spring, of which
every passer-by may drink, it is one kept and preserved from all
others; it is a fountain bearing a particular mark-a king's royal seal,
so that all can perceive that it is not a common fountain, but a
fountain owned by a proprietor, and placed specially by itself alone.
So is it with the spiritual life. The chosen of God were separated in
the eternal decree; they were separated by God in the day of
redemption; and they are separated by the possession of a life which
others have not; and it is impossible for them to feel at home with the
world, or to delight in its pleasures. There is also the idea of
sacredness. The spring shut up is preserved for the use of some special
person: and such is the Christian's heart. It is a spring kept for
Jesus. Every Christian should feel that he has God's seal upon him-and
he should be able to say with Paul, "From henceforth let no man trouble
me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." Another idea is
prominent-it is that of security. Oh! how sure and safe is the inner
life of the believer! If all the powers of earth and hell could combine
against it, that immortal principle must still exist, for he who gave
it pledged his life for its preservation. And who "is he that shall
harm you," when God is your protector?
EVENING:
"Thou art from everlasting."
-- Psalms 93:2
Christ is EVERLASTING. Of him we may sing with David, "Thy throne, O
God, is for ever and ever." Rejoice, believer, in Jesus Christ, the
same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Jesus always was. The Babe born
in Bethlehem was united to the Word, which was in the beginning, by
whom all things were made. The title by which Christ revealed himself
to John in Patmos was, "Him which is, and which was, and which is to
come." If he were not God from everlasting, we could not so devoutly
love him; we could not feel that he had any share in the eternal love
which is the fountain of all covenant blessings; but since he was from
all eternity with the Father, we trace the stream of divine love to
himself equally with his Father and the blessed Spirit. As our Lord
always was, so also he is for evermore. Jesus is not dead; "He ever
liveth to make intercession for us." Resort to him in all your times of
need, for he is waiting to bless you still. Moreover, Jesus our Lord
ever shall be. If God should spare your life to fulfil your full day of
threescore years and ten, you will find that his cleansing fountain is
still opened, and his precious blood has not lost its power; you shall
find that the Priest who filled the healing fount with his own blood,
lives to purge you from all iniquity. When only your last battle
remains to be fought, you shall find that the hand of your conquering
Captain has not grown feeble-the living Saviour shall cheer the dying
saint. When you enter heaven you shall find him there bearing the dew
of his youth; and through eternity the Lord Jesus shall still remain
the perennial spring of joy, and life, and glory to his people. Living
waters may you draw from this sacred well! Jesus always was, he always
is, he always shall be. He is eternal in all his attributes, in all his
offices, in all his might, and willingness to bless, comfort, guard,
and crown his chosen people.
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Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
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