Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

 March 3– Evening

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

“[Jesus] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove.” 

—Matthew 3:16

As the Spirit of God descended upon the Lord Jesus, who is the head of the church, so he also, in varying measures, descends upon the members of his mystical body. His descent upon us is similar to his falling upon our Lord Jesus. There is a certain swiftness about it that suddenly takes hold and causes us to be propelled onward and heavenward beyond all expectation. And yet it is not an earthly haste, for the wings of the dove are as soft as they are swift.

Quietness seems essential to many spiritual activities; that is because the Lord is in the still small voice, and, like the dew, his grace is distilled in the silence of night. The dove has always been the chosen model of purity, and the Holy Spirit is holiness itself. Wherever he descends, everything becomes pure and lovely and is made to flourish. Sin and uncleanness must depart. Peace also reigns where the Holy Dove comes with power; he bears the olive branch which shows that the waters of divine wrath have been calmed.

Gentleness is a sure result of the Sacred Dove’s transforming power; hearts touched by his gentle influence become meek and lowly forever; harmlessness follows, as a matter of course. Eagles and ravens may hunt their prey, but doves can only endure wrong; they cannot inflict it. We must be harmless as doves.

The dove is a fitting model of love and affection. In the same way, the soul visited by the blessed Spirit abounds in love to God, in love to his brothers, in love to sinners, and, above all, in love to Jesus. The brooding of the Spirit of God upon the face of the deep first produced order and life, and this same Spirit fosters new life and light in the depths of our hearts.

Blessed Spirit, just as you rested upon our dear Redeemer, Jesus, even so rest upon us from this time forward and forever. [M&E]