Morning, July 31

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"I in them."

  John 17:23

   If such be the union which subsists between our souls and the person of
   our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is
   no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind its way, it
   is a channel of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length
   a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Behold he hath
   set before us an open door, let us not be slow to enter. This city of
   communion hath many pearly gates, every several gate is of one pearl,
   and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may enter,
   assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which
   to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of
   fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having
   so large an entrance! Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with
   many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send a messenger to
   him to carry him our loves, and bring us tidings from his Father's
   house; but see his kindness, he has built his house next door to ours,
   nay, more, he takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor humble
   hearts, that so he may have perpetual intercourse with us. O how
   foolish must we be, if we do not live in habitual communion with him.
   When the road is long, and dangerous, and difficult, we need not wonder
   that friends seldom meet each other, but when they live together, shall
   Jonathan forget his David? A wife may when her husband is upon a
   journey, abide many days without holding converse with him, but she
   could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in
   one of the chambers of her own house. Why, believer, dost not thou sit
   at his banquet of wine? Seek thy Lord, for he is near; embrace him, for
   he is thy Brother. Hold Him fast, for he is thine Husband; and press
   him to thine heart, for he is of thine own flesh.