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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
MORNING:
"Joint heirs with Christ."
-- Romans 8:17
The boundless realms of his Father's universe are Christ's by
prescriptive right. As "heir of all things," he is the sole proprietor
of the vast creation of God, and he has admitted us to claim the whole
as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint-heir-ship which the Lord hath
ratified with his chosen people. The golden streets of paradise, the
pearly gates, the river of life, the transcendent bliss, and the
unutterable glory, are, by our blessed Lord, made over to us for our
everlasting possession. All that he has he shares with his people. The
crown royal he has placed upon the head of his Church, appointing her a
kingdom, and calling her sons a royal priesthood, a generation of
priests and kings. He uncrowned himself that we might have a coronation
of glory; he would not sit upon his own throne until he had procured a
place upon it for all who overcome by his blood. Crown the head and the
whole body shares the honour. Behold here the reward of every Christian
conqueror! Christ's throne, crown, sceptre, palace, treasure, robes,
heritage, are yours. Far superior to the jealousy, selfishness, and
greed, which admit of no participation of their advantages, Christ
deems his happiness completed by his people sharing it. "The glory
which thou gavest me have I given them." "These things have I spoken
unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be
full." The smiles of his Father are all the sweeter to him, because his
people share them. The honours of his kingdom are more pleasing,
because his people appear with him in glory. More valuable to him are
his conquests, since they have taught his people to overcome. He
delights in his throne, because on it there is a place for them. He
rejoices in his royal robes, since over them his skirts are spread. He
delights the more in his joy, because he calls them to enter into it.
EVENING:
"He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his
bosom."
-- Isaiah 40:11
Who is he of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is THE GOOD
SHEPHERD. Why doth he carry the lambs in his bosom? Because He hath a
tender heart, and any weakness at once melts his heart. The sighs, the
ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of his flock draw forth
his compassion. It is his office, as a faithful High Priest, to
consider the weak. Besides, he purchased them with blood, they are his
property: he must and will care for that which cost him so dear. Then
he is responsible for each lamb, bound by covenant engagements not to
lose one. Moreover, they are all a part of his glory and reward.
But how may we understand the expression, "He will carry them"?
Sometimes he carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial.
Providence deals tenderly with them. Often they are "carried" by being
filled with an unusual degree of love, so that they bear up and stand
fast. Though their knowledge may not be deep, they have great sweetness
in what they do know. Frequently he "carries" them by giving them a
very simple faith, which takes the promise just as it stands, and
believingly runs with every trouble straight to Jesus. The simplicity
of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence, which
carries them above the world.
"He carries the lambs in his bosom." Here is boundless affection. Would
he put them in his bosom if he did not love them much? Here is tender
nearness: so near are they, that they could not possibly be nearer.
Here is hallowed familiarity: there are precious love-passages between
Christ and his weak ones. Here is perfect safety: in his bosom who can
hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and
sweetest comfort. Surely we are not sufficiently sensible of the
infinite tenderness of Jesus!
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=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING, by Brian McLaren
Unafraid of controversy or the uncomfortable gray areas of life,
McLaren's quest is to find the essential message of Jesus' life - even
if it overturns our conventional ideas, priorities, and practices.
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MORNING & EVENING from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
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