Evening, December 26, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Surely I am with you always.” — Matthew 28:20

The Lord Jesus is in the midst of his church; he walks among the golden candlesticks; his promise is, “Surely I am with you always.” He is as surely with us now as he was with the disciples at the lake, when they saw a fire built, and fish laid upon it, and bread. Not physically, but still in reality, Jesus is with us. And a blessed truth it is, for where Jesus is, love becomes set afire. Of all the things in the world that can set the heart burning, there is nothing like the presence of Jesus! A glimpse of him so overcomes us, that we are ready to say, “Turn away your eyes from me, for they have overcome me.” Even the smell of the aloe, and the myrrh, and the cassia, which drop from his perfumed garments, causes the sick and the weak to grow strong. Let there be just a moment’s leaning of the head into that gracious embrace, and a reception of his divine love into our poor cold hearts and we are cold no longer, but glow like angelic fire, equal to every labor, and capable of enduring any suffering. If we know that Jesus is with us, every skill will be developed, and every grace will be strengthened, and we shall cast ourselves into the Lord’s service with heart, and soul, and strength; therefore the presence of Christ is to be desired above all things. His presence will be realized most by those who are most like him. If you desire to see Christ, you must grow in conformity to him. Bring yourself, by the power of the Spirit, into union with Christ’s desires, and motives, and plans of action, and you are likely to be favored with his company. Remember his presence may be obtained. His promise is as true as ever. He delights to be with us. If he does not come, it is because we hinder him by our indifference. He will reveal himself to our earnest prayers, and graciously tolerate himself to be detained by our entreaties, and by our tears, for these are the golden chains which bind Jesus to his people.