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Morning and Evening

October 13, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Love is strong as death." — Song of Songs 8:6 · KJV

Whose love can this be, that is as mighty as the conqueror of monarchs, the destroyer of the human race? Would it not sound like satire if applied to my poor, weak, scarcely living love to Jesus my Lord? I do love Him, and perhaps, by His grace, I could even die for Him; but as for my love in itself, it can scarcely endure a scoffing jest, much less a cruel death. Surely it is my Beloved's love that is spoken of here — the love of Jesus, the matchless lover of souls. His love was indeed stronger than the most terrible death, for it endured the trial of the cross triumphantly. It was a lingering death, but love survived the torment; a shameful death, but love despised the shame; a penal death, but love bore our iniquities; a forsaken, lonely death, from which the eternal Father hid His face, but love endured the curse and gloried over all. Never such love, never such death! It was a desperate duel, but love bore the palm. What then, my heart? Have you no emotion stirred within you at the thought of such heavenly affection? Yes, my Lord, I long, I pant to feel Your love flaming like a furnace within me. Come, You Yourself, and kindle the ardor of my spirit. For every drop of crimson blood shed to make me live, oh why, why have I not a thousand lives to give? Why should I despair of loving Jesus with a love as strong as death? He deserves it; I desire it. The martyrs felt such love, and they were but flesh and blood — then why not I? They mourned their weakness, yet out of weakness were made strong; grace gave them all their unflinching constancy, and there is the same grace for me. Jesus, lover of my soul, shed abroad such love — Your own love — in my heart this evening.