Morning, May 12, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“And will disclose myself to him.” — John 14:21

The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of himself to his people. Even if Scripture did not declare this, there are many of the children of God who could testify the truth of it from their own experience. They have had manifestations of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in a distinctive manner, such ones as no mere reading or hearing could offer. In the biographies of eminent saints, you will find many instances recorded in which Jesus has been pleased, in a very special manner to speak to their souls, and to unfold the wonders of his person; indeed, so have their souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought themselves to be in heaven. Although they were not there, they were nearly on the threshold of it—for when Jesus manifests himself to his people, it is heaven on earth; it is paradise in an embryonic state; it is ecstasy begun. Special manifestations of Christ exercise a holy influence on the believer’s heart. One effect will be humility. If a man says, “I have had such-and-such spiritual communications, I am a great man,” he has never had any communion with Jesus at all; for “He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar.” He does not need to come near the proud to know them, and will never visit them with his love. Another effect will be happiness; for in God’s presence there are pleasures forevermore. Holiness will be sure to follow. A man who has no holiness has never had this manifestation. Some men profess great experiences; but we must not believe any one unless we see that his deeds answer to what he says. “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked.” He will not bestow his favors upon the wicked: for while he will not cast away a man of integrity, neither will he respect an evildoer. Thus, there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus—humility, happiness, and holiness. May God give them to you, Christian!