Sep 14
17
Invincibly and irresistibly drawn
(J. C. Philpot, “True Discipleship”, 1869)
As the Lord is pleased to enlighten
his mind, the Christian sees . . .
such a beauty,
such a blessedness,
such a heavenly sweetness,
such a divine loveliness,
such a fullness of surpassing grace,
such tender condescension,
such unwearied patience,
such infinite compassion,
in the Lord of life and glory—that he is as
if invincibly and irresistibly drawn by these
attractive influences to come to His feet to
learn of Him. So far as the Lord is pleased to
reveal Himself in some measure to his soul,
by the sweet glimpses and glances which he
thus obtains of His Person and countenance,
he is drawn to His blessed Majesty by cords
of love to look up unto Him and beg of Him
that He would drop His word with life and
power into his heart.
(Octavius Winslow, “Daily Need Divinely Supplied”)
“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall
sustain you.” Psalm 55:22
Wonderful words! Their sense is magical—their
sound is music—their very utterance is repose!
It is one of those flowers culled from the Lord’s
garden—penciled with beauty and laden with
perfume, which defies all human art to heighten
the loveliness of the one, or to increase the
sweetness of the other.
And yet, as most flowers are more fragrant when
crushed, and as the grape yields its sweetest
juice when pressed—a simple exposition of these
precious words, however gentle the pressure, may
prove a spiritual fragrance and refreshment to some
burdened child of God.
O my soul, what is your burden? Remember the
invitation is a personal one, and therefore includes
every care and need, sin and sorrow, that you have.
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain
you.”
Whatever your burden, cast it in the prayer of faith
on the Lord. Peculiar and heavy though it may be,
His strength and grace and love will sustain you.
Encircled by His almighty arm,
upheld by His promises,
strengthened by His grace,
soothed by His sympathy,
comforted by His Spirit,
you shall not sink, for it is written, “Cast your
burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you.”
No wonder the maidens love You!
(James Durham, “The Song of Solomon”)
“Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth;
for Your love is more delightful than wine!
Pleasing is the fragrance of Your perfumes;
Your name is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the maidens love You!”
Song of Solomon 1:2-3
Believers are not soon satisfied in expressing Christ’s
worth. Christ, and all that is in Him, is as refreshing as
a box that is full of the most precious perfume. Christ
is well stored with grace; it is poured into His lips.
This fragrance of Christ’s graces is not felt by everyone.
The box of His perfumes is not open to all, but only to
those who believe; for to them He is precious, and
everything that is in Him is most cordial and fragrant
to the believer. “Yes, He is very precious to you who
believe!” 1 Peter 2:7
The more Christ and His worth is known, it will fragrance
the better, and be the more refreshing; for it is His name
which is this perfume. Christ, in His excellent worth, is
unknown to the world. They do not inquire into this
fragrant name. But if He were once known, they would
find in Him, that which would make them give over their
other unprofitable pursuits, and pant after Him!
“My Lover is radiant and dazzling, better than ten
thousand others!” Song of Solomon 5:10
“His mouth is sweetness itself! He is altogether lovely!
This is my Lover, this my Friend!” Song of Solomon 5:16
The sweetest mercies of God!
(Robert Hawker, “Zion’s Pilgrim” 1827)
All afflictions which tend to . . .
bring the soul to God,
keep up a life of communion with the Redeemer,
make us sensible of the gracious influence of the Holy Spirit,
spiritualize our affections,
wean our hearts from a world from which we must soon part,
and promote a more intimate acquaintance with that world in
which we are shortly forever to dwell—are undeserving the name
of afflictions! They are among the sweetest mercies of God!
God removes earthly comforts—in order to make room for heavenly
delights. He empties the soul of all creature-comforts—that He may
fill it with Creator-mercies. We should embrace our afflictions, as
affording the choicest proofs of divine love.
Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
While there are those who say yet, “there is no beauty in Him that we should desire Him,” this lovely One’s beauty is not in the eye of the beholder, as the saying goes. The glorious beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ is not a matter of opinion or mere prospective. His beauty and loveliness are inherent and undeniable. Those who cannot see His comeliness, simply cannot see. Those whose eyes He makes to see, say with John, and we beheld His glory.- Chris Cunningham.
Song 7:6 How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
Song 7:7 This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
Song 7:8 I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;
Song 7:9 And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
In general terms the Church’s loveliness is again set forth. High gratitude is due, that faith is thus strengthened, and encouragement to repose on Christ’s love is quickened. Doubts and fears can retain no place before the bright beams of these assurances. Let us treasure them up in our hearts, and draw refreshment from their repeated exhibitions. Firm will he stand–joyful will he march onward, who cherishes the blessed thought, “I am dear to the heart of Jesus”–and whose happy mind can revel in the truth, “Oh, how delightful you are, my beloved; how pleasant for utter delight!”
From this general assurance Christ in His super-abounding grace proceeds to specify particular features of beauty and distinction. We are bid to go forth and mark the objects, which in the gardens and the orchards and the plantations, most captivate our eyes. The beauty here seen is specified as depicting the Church’s grace. Behold the stately palm-tree. Its waving boughs are laden with abundant dates. Enter the vineyard. The vine presents its wide-spreading branches. They are enriched with clusters of luscious fruit. Approach, also, the orchard. What objects can be more enchanting to the sight, than apples of various form and hue and fragrance! As we behold–as we admire, we are taught in them the wondrous lesson–thus precious is the Church in the Redeemer’s sight.
But let us not forget the truth, that all this beauty is derived from His love, and is the work of His adorning hand. In themselves, Christ’s people are all deformity and loathsomeness. By nature they have no loveliness or grace. But vile appearance has disappeared–beauty in exchange has been most largely given. Their native look was the result of sin–that hideous monster, which defaced creation’s fair form, and turned man’s heart into the abode of vileness and filth.
But where are the believer’s sins? Far as the east is from the west Christ has removed them. Deep in the ocean of His redeeming merits He has buried them. Behind God’s back they are forever cast. Christ’s blood has been sprinkled over them, and they are whiter than the whitest snow. Omniscience may search–but it must search in vain. No more can they be brought to sight. No spot–no wrinkle–no defect–no blemish–no fault–no shortcoming can be discovered. “God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If the absence of everything ungraceful constitutes grace, how lovely is the Church in Christ’s esteem!
But there is not only the absence of everything which can displease–there is the presence of all that can enrapture. Not only is the ‘old man’ destroyed–the ‘new man’ is raised up, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Likeness to the Elder Brother is inwrought. Is Christ lovely? So, also, is the Church. The righteousness of Christ is spread around her, as the garment of salvation, and the robe fit for heaven’s court. With rapturous gratitude we hear the assurance, “Oh, how delightful you are, my beloved; how pleasant for utter delight!” Henry Law.
You are Mine!
(George Mylne, “Fear Not!” 1854)
“Fear not, you are Mine!” Isaiah 43:1
Child of God, dismiss your doubts; put away your fears.
Jesus says, “Fear not, you are Mine!”
Mine by creation,
Mine by redemption,
Mine by right,
Mine by purchase,
Mine affection,
Mine by choice,
Mine for life,
Mine in death,
Mine for time,
Mine for eternity!”
In all seasons; under all circumstances–you are Christ’s!
As a father speaking to his child;
as a master speaking to his servant;
as a husband speaking to his wife;
as a brother speaking to a brother;
as a friend speaking to a friend;
as a potter speaking to the thing he has made;
as a buyer speaking to the thing he has bought–
Jesus says to you, “Fear not, you are Mine!”
And why does Jesus say, “You are Mine”?
Because He loves you,
because He has chosen you,
because He gave Himself for you,
because He will not part with you!
Will Jesus ever give you up?
Will He ever forget you?
Will He ever hide Himself from your prayers?
Will He ever disregard your tears?
He says, “Fear not, you are Mine!”
Will the bridegroom part with the bride, or the husband with his beloved wife? They may part–yet Jesus will never part with you. “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?” But even if that were possible, yet will Jesus never forget you. He has you in His heart. He has engraved you upon the palms of His hands! (Isaiah 49:15, 16.) He says, “Fear not, you are Mine! Fear not, you shall not be taken from Me. Fear not, I will never forsake you!” His eye is upon you. His affections yearn for you. Oh! the tenderness with which He bends over you, saying, “Fear not, you are Mine!”
When Jesus says, “You are Mine”–do you say,”And I am yours. I am my Beloved’s–and His desire is toward me!” (Song of Solomon 7:10.) This is the way to delight the soul of Jesus. Contrite sinner, He says to you, “You are Mine!” Then fear not!