February 15, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Whereby they have made Thee glad." — Psalm 45:8 · KJV

And who are thus privileged to make the Savior glad? His church — His people. But is it possible? He makes us glad, but how can we make Him glad? By our love. Ah, we think it so cold, so faint — and so, to our sorrow, we must confess it to be — yet it is very sweet to Christ. Hear His own praise of that love in the golden Song: "How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine!" See, loving heart, how He delights in you. When you lean your head on His bosom, you not only receive but give Him joy; when you gaze with love on His all-glorious face, you not only obtain comfort but impart delight. Our praise, too, gives Him joy — not the song of the lips alone, but the melody of the heart's deep gratitude. Our gifts, too, are very pleasant to Him; He loves to see us lay our time, our talents, our substance on the altar, not for the value of what we give, but for the sake of the motive from which the gift springs. To Him the lowly offerings of His saints are more acceptable than thousands of gold and silver. Holiness is like frankincense and myrrh to Him. Forgive your enemy, and you make Christ glad; give of your substance to the poor, and He rejoices; be the means of saving souls, and you let Him see the fruit of the travail of His soul; proclaim His gospel, and you are a sweet fragrance to Him; go among the ignorant and lift up the cross, and you have given Him honor. It is in your power even now to break the alabaster box and pour the precious oil of joy on His head, as the woman of old did, whose memorial is set forth to this day wherever the gospel is preached. Will you be backward, then? Will you not perfume your beloved Lord with the myrrh and aloes and cassia of your heart's praise? Yes, you ivory palaces, you shall hear the songs of the saints!