Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

May 1– Morning

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

“His cheeks are like a bed of spices, as sweet flowers.” 

—Song of Solomon 5:13

 

How wonderful it is that May, the month of flowers, has arrived. March winds and April showers have done their work, and the earth is adorned with flowering beauty. This is the time to come alive and go out to gather garlands of heavenly thoughts. You know where to find the sweetest flowers, don’t you? They are found in Jesus, the great lover of our souls.

Notice the beauty of his cheeks. Though they were once rudely struck by vile men, wet with the tears of sympathy, and defiled with the spit of hatred, they are full of spices– smiles of great mercy.

Lord, you did not hide your face from shame and spitting, and, therefore, it is my delight to praise you. Your cheeks were torn for me, and such marks of love cannot help but charm my soul far more than whole vials of perfume.

Even if I cannot see his whole face, at least I can behold his precious cheeks. They refresh my spiritual senses. I find in Jesus more than a mere fragrance but a whole bed of spices; not one flower but all kinds of sweet flowers. He is my rose, my lily, my cluster of camphor. When he is with me it is Springtime all year round. My soul delights to wash her happy face in the morning dew of his grace and to hear the singing of the birds of his promises.

Precious Lord Jesus, let me know the blessedness of living in unbroken fellowship with you. I am a poor, worthless one whose cheek you have chosen to kiss! O let me kiss you in return. [M&E]