Evening, March 3

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove."

  Matthew 3:16

   As the Spirit of God descended upon the Lord Jesus, the head, so he
   also, in measure, descends upon the members of the mystical body. His
   descent is to us after the same fashion as that in which it fell upon
   our Lord. There is often a singular rapidity about it; or ever we are
   aware, we are impelled onward and heavenward beyond all expectation.
   Yet is there none of the hurry of earthly haste, for the wings of the
   dove are as soft as they are swift. Quietness seems essential to many
   spiritual operations; the Lord is in the still small voice, and like
   the dew, his grace is distilled in silence. The dove has ever been the
   chosen type of purity, and the Holy Spirit is holiness itself. Where he
   cometh, everything that is pure and lovely, and of good report, is made
   to abound, and sin and uncleanness depart. Peace reigns also where the
   Holy Dove comes with power; he bears the olive branch which shows that
   the waters of divine wrath are assuaged. Gentleness is a sure result of
   the Sacred Dove's transforming power: hearts touched by his benign
   influence are meek and lowly henceforth and forever. Harmlessness
   follows, as a matter of course; eagles and ravens may hunt their
   prey--the turtledove can endure wrong, but cannot inflict it. We must
   be harmless as doves. The dove is an apt picture of love, the voice of
   the turtle is full of affection; and so, the soul visited by the
   blessed Spirit, abounds in love to God, in love to the brethren, and 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 in our hearts, he causes and fosters new life and light. Blessed
   Spirit, as thou didst rest upon our dear Redeemer, even so rest upon us
   from this time forward and forever.