Evening, October 13, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“For love is as 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 punishing death, but love bore our iniquities; a forsaken, lonely death, from which the eternal Father hid his face, but love endured the curse, glorious over all. Never was there such love, never such a death. It was a desperate duel, but love won the victory. What is your response then, my heart? Have you no emotions excited within at the contemplation of such heavenly affection? Yes, my Lord, I long, I crave to feel your love flaming like a furnace within me. I invite you to come excite the passion 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 lose hope 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 bemoaned their weakness, and yet out of weakness were made strong. Grace gave them all their unflinching endurance–there is the same grace for me. Jesus, lover of my soul, shed abroad such love, even your love in my heart, this evening.