Morning, December 3
Go To Evening Reading
“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.