Morning, December 3, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“There is no blemish in you.” — 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 blemish in you.” As if the thought occurred to the Bridegroom that the critical world would insinuate that he had only mentioned her attractive 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 blemish. 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 marveled; but when he testifies that she is free from the slightest spot, all these other forms of defilement are included, and the depth of our wonder is increased. If he had only promised to remove all spots eventually, we would 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 the richest of foods for you; eat your fill, and be satisfied with royal desserts.

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 reprimands, but it is always in the most tender manner, with the kindest intentions: it is, “my love” even then. There is no memory of our foolishness, he does not cherish unkind thoughts of us, but he pardons and loves as well after any 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 times a believer will put himself in a bad mood with the Lord for some slight downturn in his provision, but our precious Husband knows our childish hearts too well to take any offence at our ill manners.