Morning “There is no spot in thee.” / Song of Solomon 4:7

Having pronounced his Church positively full of beauty, our Lord confirms his

praise by a precious negative, “There is no spot in thee.” As if the thought

occurred to the Bridegroom that the carping world would insinuate that he had

only mentioned her comely parts, and had purposely omitted those features

which were deformed or defiled, he sums up all by declaring her universally

and entirely fair, and utterly devoid of stain. A spot may soon be removed,

and is the very least thing that can disfigure beauty, but even from this

little blemish the believer is delivered in his Lord’s sight. If he had said

there is no hideous scar, no horrible deformity, no deadly ulcer, we might

even then have marvelled; but when he testifies that she is free from the

slightest spot, all these other forms of defilement are included, and the

depth of wonder is increased. If he had but promised to remove all spots

by-and-by, we should have had eternal reason for joy; but when he speaks of it

as already done, who can restrain the most intense emotions of satisfaction

and delight? O my soul, here is marrow and fatness for thee; eat thy full, and

be satisfied with royal dainties.

Christ Jesus has no quarrel with his spouse. She often wanders from him, and

grieves his Holy Spirit, but he does not allow her faults to affect his love.

He sometimes chides, but it is always in the tenderest manner, with the

kindest intentions: it is “my love” even then. There is no remembrance of our

follies, he does not cherish ill thoughts of us, but he pardons and loves as

well after the offence as before it. It is well for us it is so, for if Jesus

were as mindful of injuries as we are, how could he commune with us? Many a

time a believer will put himself out of humour with the Lord for some slight

turn in providence, but our precious Husband knows our silly hearts too well

to take any offence at our ill manners.

 

Evening   “The Lord mighty in battle.” / Psalm 24:8

Well may our God be glorious in the eyes of his people, seeing that he has

wrought such wonders for them, in them, and by them. For them, the Lord Jesus

upon Calvary routed every foe, breaking all the weapons of the enemy in pieces

by his finished work of satisfactory obedience; by his triumphant resurrection

and ascension he completely overturned the hopes of hell, leading captivity

captive, making a show of our enemies openly, triumphing over them by his

cross. Every arrow of guilt which Satan might have shot at us is broken, for

who can lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? Vain are the sharp swords

of infernal malice, and the perpetual battles of the serpent’s seed, for in

the midst of the church the lame take the prey, and the feeblest warriors are

crowned.

The saved may well adore their Lord for his conquests in them, since the

arrows of their natural hatred are snapped, and the weapons of their rebellion

broken. What victories has grace won in our evil hearts! How glorious is Jesus

when the will is subdued, and sin dethroned! As for our remaining corruptions,

they shall sustain an equally sure defeat, and every temptation, and doubt,

and fear, shall be utterly destroyed. In the Salem of our peaceful hearts, the

name of Jesus is great beyond compare: he has won our love, and he shall wear

it. Even thus securely may we look for victories by us. We are more than

conquerors through him that loved us. We shall cast down the powers of

darkness which are in the world, by our faith, and zeal, and holiness; we

shall win sinners to Jesus, we shall overturn false systems, we shall convert

nations, for God is with us, and none shall stand before us. This evening let

the Christian warrior chant the war song, and prepare for to-morrow’s fight.

Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.