May 3, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"A very present help." — Psalm 46:1 · KJV

Covenant blessings are not given merely to be admired; they are given to be used. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. Believer, you do not make use of Christ as you ought. When you are in trouble, why do you not tell Him all your grief? Does He not have a sympathizing heart, and can He not comfort and relieve you? Instead you go around to all your friends except your best Friend, telling your story everywhere but in the ear of your Lord. Are you burdened with today's sins? Here is a fountain opened for cleansing: use it, saint, use it. Has a sense of guilt come back on you? The pardoning grace of Jesus can be proved again and again. Come to Him at once to be washed. Do you mourn your weakness? He is your strength; why not lean on Him? Do you feel exposed and unclothed? Come here, soul, and put on the robe of Jesus' righteousness. Do not stand looking at it wear it. Strip off your own righteousness, and your fears along with it, and put on the fine white linen, for it was meant to be worn. Do you feel sick? Ring the night-bell of prayer and call up the Beloved Physician! He will give you the medicine that revives. You are poor, but you have a kinsman who is a mighty man of wealth. Will you not go to Him and ask Him to share His abundance, when He has already promised that you will be joint heir with Him and has signed over all that He is and all that He has to be yours? There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His people to treat Him as an ornament on display instead of putting Him to work. He loves to be employed by us. The more burdens we lay on His shoulders, the more precious He becomes to us. So let us be simple and open with Him, not stiff or backward or cold, as though the place of His birth were as terrifying as Sinai once was.