Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

December 3– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“There is no blemish in you.” 

—Song of Solomon 4:7

If we use this encounter as an analogy of Christ and his Church, then we find here that our Lord confirms the beauty of his bride. It’s as if the thought occurred to the Bridegroom that those who look on his bride would wonder if he had only mentioned her obvious and outward features but had purposely omitted some hidden feature that was deformed or defiled. But he sums up everything by declaring her to be universally and entirely beautiful and without any stain at all. A spot can often be removed and is the very least thing that can disfigure beauty; but even from the smallest blemish of sin 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 been amazed; but when he declares her to be free from even the slightest spot, all these other forms of defilement are included, and the depth of wonder is increased.

Notice that Christ Jesus has no quarrel with his spouse. She often wanders from him and grieves his Holy Spirit, but he doesn’t allow her faults to affect his love. He sometimes confronts her, but it is always in the most tender manner with the kindest intentions. There is no remembrance of our foolishness. He doesn’t keep a record of our wrongs. Even when we get all out of sorts for what he providentially allows us to endure, he knows our silly hearts too well and takes no offense at our ill manners. [M&E]