Spurgeon: May PM
* 05/20/PM
"I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love."
--Hosea 11:4
Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love;
but ah! how backward we are to run towards Him! How slowly do we
respond to His gentle impulses! He draws us to exercise a more
simple faith in Him ; but we have not yet attained to Abraham's
confidence; we do not leave our worldly cares with God, but,
like Martha, we cumber ourselves with much serving. Our meagre
faith brings leanness into our souls; we do not open our mouths
wide, though God has promised to fill them. Does He not this
evening draw us to trust Him? Can we not hear Him say, "Come, My
child, and trust Me. The veil is rent; enter into My presence,
and approach boldly to the throne of My grace. I am worthy of
thy fullest confidence, cast thy cares on Me. Shake thyself from
the dust of thy cares, and put on thy beautiful garments of
joy." But, alas! though called with tones of love to the blessed
exercise of this comforting grace, we will not come. At another
time He draws us to closer communion with Himself . We have
been sitting on the doorstep of God's house, and He bids us
advance into the banqueting hall and sup with Him, but we
decline the honour. There are secret rooms not yet opened to us;
Jesus invites us to enter them, but we hold back. Shame on our
cold hearts! We are but poor lovers of our sweet Lord Jesus, not
fit to be His servants, much less to be His brides, and yet He
hath exalted us to be bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh,
married to Him by a glorious marriage-covenant. Herein is love!
But it is love which takes no denial . If we obey not the
gentle drawings of His love, He will send affliction to drive us
into closer intimacy with Himself. Have us nearer He will. What
foolish children we are to refuse those bands of love, and so
bring upon our backs that scourge of small cords, which Jesus
knows how to use!