Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

September 27– Evening

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

“The one I love put his hand on the door latch, and my heart was stirred for him.”

—Song of Solomon 5:4

Knocking on the door was not enough, for my heart was too full of sleep, too cold and ungrateful to arise and open the door; it took the touch of his effective grace to rouse my soul. Oh, the longsuffering of my loving Savior to wait when he found himself shut out and found me sleeping upon my bed! Oh, the greatness of his patience to knock and knock again and to call out for me to open to him! How could I have refused him! O blunted heart, blush and be confounded! Thankfully, though I was unable to open the door, God became his own doorkeeper and unlocked the door himself. He condescends to lift the latch and turn the key.

Now I understand that nothing but my Lord’s own power can save such a mass of wickedness as I am. Ordinances fail. Even the gospel has no effect upon me until he stretches out his hand. I have come to know his hand alone is capable and good. Everything else is powerless. He alone opens the door.

May his name be blessed. I feel his gracious presence even now. It is right for my heart to be moved for him when I think of all that he has suffered for me and of my ungenerous return. I have allowed my affections to wander. I have set up rivals. I have grieved him. I have treated you as an unfaithful wife treats her husband. Oh, my cruel sins– my cruel self! What can I do? What a wretch I am to treat my Lord, my All in All, my exceedingly Great Joy, as though he were a stranger!

Jesus, you forgive freely, but this is not enough! Do more than that; prevent my unfaithfulness in the future! Kiss away these tears, and then purge my heart and bind it to yourself with cords that cannot be broken, so that I will never wander again. [M&E]