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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
MORNING:
"I am married unto you."
-- Jeremiah 3:14
Christ Jesus is joined unto his people in marriage-union. In love he
espoused his Church as a chaste virgin, long before she fell under the
yoke of bondage. Full of burning affection he toiled, like Jacob for
Rachel, until the whole of her purchase-money had been paid, and now,
having sought her by his Spirit, and brought her to know and love him,
he awaits the glorious hour when their mutual bliss shall be
consummated at the marriage-supper of the Lamb. Not yet hath the
glorious Bridegroom presented his betrothed, perfected and complete,
before the Majesty of heaven; not yet hath she actually entered upon
the enjoyment of her dignities as his wife and queen: she is as yet a
wanderer in a world of woe, a dweller in the tents of Kedar; but she is
even now the bride, the spouse of Jesus, dear to his heart, precious in
his sight, written on his hands, and united with his person. On earth
he exercises towards her all the affectionate offices of Husband. He
makes rich provision for her wants, pays all her debts, allows her to
assume his name, and to share in all his wealth. Nor will he ever act
otherwise to her. The word divorce he will never mention, for "He
hateth putting away." Death must sever the conjugal tie between the
most loving mortals, but it cannot divide the links of this immortal
marriage. In heaven they marry not, but are as the angels of God; yet
there is this one marvellous exception to the rule, for in Heaven
Christ and his Church shall celebrate their joyous nuptials. This
affinity as it is more lasting, so is it more near than earthly
wedlock. Let the love of husband be never so pure and fervent, it is
but a faint picture of the flame which burns in the heart of Jesus.
Passing all human union is that mystical cleaving unto the Church, for
which Christ left his Father, and became one flesh with her.
EVENING:
"Behold the man!"
-- John 19:5
If there be one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy
and comfort of his people, it is where he plunged deepest into the
depths of woe. Come hither, gracious souls, and behold the man in the
garden of Gethsemane; behold his heart so brimming with love that he
cannot hold it in-so full of sorrow that it must find a vent. Behold
the bloody sweat as it distils from every pore of his body, and falls
upon the ground. Behold the man as they drive the nails into his hands
and feet. Look up, repenting sinners, and see the sorrowful image of
your suffering Lord. Mark him, as the ruby drops stand on the
thorn-crown, and adorn with priceless gems the diadem of the King of
Misery. Behold the man when all his bones are out of joint, and he is
poured out like water and brought into the dust of death; God hath
forsaken him, and hell compasseth him about. Behold and see, was there
ever sorrow like unto his sorrow that is done unto him? All ye that
pass by draw near and look upon this spectacle of grief, unique,
unparalleled, a wonder to men and angels, a prodigy unmatched. Behold
the Emperor of Woe who had no equal or rival in his agonies! Gaze upon
him, ye mourners, for if there be not consolation in a crucified Christ
there is no joy in earth or heaven. If in the ransom price of his blood
there be not hope, ye harps of heaven, there is no joy in you, and the
right hand of God shall know no pleasures for evermore. We have only to
sit more continually at the cross foot to be less troubled with our
doubts and woes. We have but to see his sorrows, and our sorrows we
shall be ashamed to mention. We have but to gaze into his wounds and
heal our own. If we would live aright it must be by the contemplation
of his death; if we would rise to dignity, it must be by considering
his humiliation and his sorrow.
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THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD, by Brother Lawrence
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