Evening, May 20
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Hosea 11:4
"I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love."
Hosea 11:4
Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love; but ah! how
backward we are to run towards him! How slowly do we respond to his
gentle impulses! He draws us to exercise a more simple faith in him;
but we have not yet attained to Abraham's confidence; we do not leave
our worldly cares with God, but, like Martha, we cumber ourselves with
much serving. Our meagre faith brings leanness into our souls; we do
not open our mouths wide, though God has promised to fill them. Does he
not this evening draw us to trust him? Can we not hear him say, "Come,
my child, and trust me. The veil is rent; enter into my presence, and
approach boldly to the throne of my grace. I am worthy of thy fullest
confidence, cast thy cares on me. Shake thyself from the dust of thy
cares, and put on thy beautiful garments of joy." But, alas! though
called with tones of love to the blessed exercise of this comforting
grace, we will not come. At another time he draws us to closer
communion with himself. We have been sitting on the doorstep of God's
house, and he bids us advance into the banqueting hall and sup with
him, but we decline the honour. There are secret rooms not yet opened
to us; Jesus invites us to enter them, but we hold back. Shame on our
cold hearts! We are but poor lovers of our sweet Lord Jesus, not fit to
be his servants, much less to be his brides, and yet he hath exalted us
to be bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, married to him by a
glorious marriage-covenant. Herein is love! But it is love which takes
no denial. If we obey not the gentle drawings of his love, he will send
affliction to drive us into closer intimacy with himself. Have us
nearer he will. What foolish children we are to refuse those bands of
love, and so bring upon our backs that scourge of small cords, which
Jesus knows how to use!