Morning & Evening Devotional Reading– June 15– Evening

by Charles H. Spurgeon, Revised and Edited by William C. Neff

“[Jesus is One who] opens, and no man shuts.”

–Revelation 3:7

Jesus is the keeper of the gates of paradise and before every believing soul he sets an open door which no man or devil can close. What joy it will be to find that faith in him is the golden key to the everlasting door. Dear friend, do you carry this key next to your heart, or are you trusting in something else to pick the lock at the last minute, which will certainly fail?

Hear this parable and remember it. A great King held a banquet. He proclaimed to all the world that none will be allowed to enter unless they bring with them the fairest flower that blooms. People come to the gates by the thousands, each one bringing the flower he or she esteems to be the queen of the garden. Some bear in their hand the deadly flower of superstition; others the flaunting poppies of outward religion; many carry the hemlock of self-righteousness. But these are not dear to the King, so those who bring them are shut out; the crowds are not allowed to enter the festive halls.

My soul, have you gathered the rose of Sharon? Do you hold the lily of the valley next to your heart? If so, when you come to the gates of heaven you will know its value, for you must show this choicest of all flowers. And, if you do, not even for a moment will the Doorkeeper deny you admission, but he will open at once. With the Rose of Sharon in hand you will be ushered before God throne, for heaven itself possesses nothing that excels radiant beauty of that Rose.

My soul, get Calvary’s blood-red rose into your hand by faith; by love, wear it; by communion preserve it; by daily watchfulness make it your all in all. If you do, then you will be blessed beyond all bliss, happy beyond all dreams. Jesus, be mine forever, my God, my heaven, my all!” [M&E]