Morning, July 31
Go To Evening Reading
“I in them.”
John 17:23
If such be the union which subsists between our souls and the person
of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This
is no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind its
way, it is a channel of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious
length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Behold
he hath set before us an open door, let us not be slow to enter. This
city of communion hath many pearly gates, every several gate is of
one pearl, and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may
enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through
which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a
word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed
in having so large an entrance! Had the Lord Jesus been far away from
us, with many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send
a messenger to him to carry him our loves, and bring us tidings from
his Father’s house; but see his kindness, he has built his house next door to
ours, nay, more, he takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor
humble hearts, that so he may have perpetual intercourse with us.
O how foolish must we be, if we do not live in habitual communion
with him. When the road is long, and dangerous, and difficult, we
need not wonder that friends seldom meet each other, but when they
live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may when her
husband is upon a journey, abide many days without holding converse
with him, but she could never endure to be separated from him if she
knew him to be in one of the chambers of her own house. Why, believer,
dost not thou sit at his banquet of wine? Seek thy Lord, for he is
near; embrace him, for he is thy Brother. Hold Him fast, for he is
thine Husband; and press him to thine heart, for he is of thine own
flesh.