Spurgeon: May PM
* 05/09/PM
"Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field . . . let us
see if the vine flourish."
--Song of Solomon 7:11, Solomon 7:12
The church was about to engage in earnest labour, and desired
her Lord's company in it. She does not say, "I will go," but
"let us go." It is blessed working when Jesus is at our side! It
is the business of God's people to be trimmers of God's vines.
Like our first parents, we are put into the garden of the Lord
for usefulness; let us therefore go forth into the field.
Observe that the church, when she is in her right mind, in all
her many labours desires to enjoy communion with Christ. Some
imagine that they cannot serve Christ actively, and yet have
fellowship with Him: they are mistaken. Doubtless it is very
easy to fritter away our inward life in outward exercises, and
come to complain with the spouse, "They made me keeper of the
vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept:" but there is
no reason why this should be the case except our own folly and
neglect. Certain is it that a professor may do nothing, and yet
grow quite as lifeless in spiritual things as those who are most
busy. Mary was not praised for sitting still; but for her
sitting at Jesus' feet . Even so, Christians are not to be
praised for neglecting duties under the pretence of having
secret fellowship with Jesus: it is not sitting, but sitting at
Jesus' feet which is commendable. Do not think that activity is
in itself an evil: it is a great blessing, and a means of grace
to us. Paul called it a grace given to him to be allowed to
preach; and every form of Christian service may become a
personal blessing to those engaged in it. Those who have most
fellowship with Christ are not recluses or hermits, who have
much time to spare, but indefatigable labourers who are toiling
for Jesus, and who, in their toil, have Him side by side with
them, so that they are workers together with God. Let us
remember then, in anything we have to do for Jesus, that we can
do it, and should do it in close communion with Him.