Morning, April 1, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!” — Song of Solomon 1:2

For several days we have been dwelling upon the Savior’s passion, and for some time to come we shall linger there. In beginning a new month, let us seek the same desires after our Lord as those which glowed in the heart of Solomon’s spouse. See how she leaps at once to him; there are no introductory words; she does not even mention his name; she is in the heart of her theme at once, for she speaks of him who was the only him in the world to her. How bold is her love! It was Jesus’ grace which permitted the weeping penitent to anoint his feet with perfumed oil; it was rich love which allowed the gentle Mary to sit at his feet and learn of him; but here, love— strong, fervent love—aspires to higher tokens of affection, and closer signs of fellowship. Esther trembled in the presence of Ahasuerus, but the spouse in joyful liberty of perfect love knows no fear. If we have received the same free spirit, we also may ask the same. We suppose kisses intend those varied manifestations of affection by which the believer is made to enjoy the love of Jesus. The kiss of reconciliation we enjoyed at our conversion, and it was sweet as honey dropping from the honeycomb. The kiss of acceptance is still warm on our brow, as we know that he has accepted our person and our work through rich grace. The kiss of daily, present communion is that which we long after to be repeated day after day, till it is changed into the kiss of reception, which removes the soul from earth, and the kiss of consummation which fills it with the joy of heaven. Faith is our walk, but fellowship sensibly felt is our rest. Faith is the road, but communion with Jesus is the well from which the sojourner drinks. O lover of our souls, do not be a stranger to us; let the lips of your blessing meet the lips of our asking; let the lips of your fulness touch the lips of our need, and immediately the kiss will be executed.