May 20, Evening
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love." — Hosea 11:4 · KJV
Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love, yet how reluctant we are to run toward Him! How slowly we respond to His gentle nudges! He draws us to exercise a simpler faith in Him, but we have not yet reached Abraham's confidence; we do not leave our worldly cares with God, but like Martha we burden ourselves with much serving. Our meager faith brings leanness into our souls; we do not open our mouths wide, though God has promised to fill them. Is He not drawing us this evening to trust Him? Can we not hear Him say, "Come, My child, and trust Me. The veil is torn; enter My presence and come boldly to the throne of My grace. I am worthy of your fullest confidence; cast your cares on Me. Shake off the dust of your worries and put on your beautiful garments of joy." Yet though we are called in tones of love to this comforting grace, we will not come. At another time He draws us into closer fellowship with Himself. We have been sitting on the doorstep of God's house, and He tells us to come forward into the banquet hall and eat with Him, but we decline the honor. There are inner rooms not yet opened to us; Jesus invites us in, and we hold back. Shame on our cold hearts! We are poor lovers of our dear Lord Jesus, hardly fit to be His servants, much less His bride, and yet He has lifted us up to be bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh, joined to Him by a glorious marriage covenant. Here is love indeed! But it is a love that takes no refusal. If we will not obey the gentle drawings of His love, He will send affliction to drive us into closer intimacy with Himself. He will have us nearer. What foolish children we are to refuse those bands of love, and so bring on our own backs that whip of small cords which Jesus knows how to use.