Spurgeon: October PM
* 10/13/PM
"Love is strong as death."
--Song of Solomon 8:6
Whose love can this be which is as mighty as the conqueror of
monarchs, the destroyer of the human race? Would it not sound
like satire if it were applied to my poor, weak, and scarcely
living love to Jesus my Lord? I do love Him, and perhaps by His
grace, I could even die for Him, but as for my love in itself,
it can scarcely endure a scoffing jest, much less a cruel death.
Surely it is my Beloved's love which is here spoken of--the love
of Jesus, the matchless lover of souls. His love was indeed
stronger than the most terrible death, for it endured the trial
of the cross triumphantly. It was a lingering death, but love
survived the torment; a shameful death, but love despised the
shame; a penal death, but love bore our iniquities; a forsaken,
lonely death, from which the eternal Father hid His face, but
love endured the curse, and gloried over all. Never such love,
never such death. It was a desperate duel, but love bore the
palm. What then, my heart? Hast thou no emotions excited within
thee at the contemplation of such heavenly affection? Yes, my
Lord, I long, I pant to feel Thy love flaming like a furnace
within me. Come Thou Thyself and excite the ardour of my
spirit.
"For every drop of crimson blood
Thus shed to make me live,
O wherefore, wherefore have not I
A thousand lives to give?"
Why should I despair of loving Jesus with a love as strong as
death? He deserves it: I desire it. The martyrs felt such love,
and they were but flesh and blood, then why not I? They mourned
their weakness, and yet out of weakness were made strong. Grace
gave them all their unflinching constancy--there is the same
grace for me. Jesus, lover of my soul, shed abroad such love,
even Thy love in my heart, this evening.