November 5, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." — Psalm 100:4 · KJV

Our Lord would have all His people rich in high and happy thoughts of His blessed person. Jesus is not content that His brethren should think meanly of Him; it is His pleasure that His espoused ones should be delighted with His beauty. We are not to regard Him as a bare necessity, like bread and water, but as a luxurious delight, a rare and ravishing joy. To this end He has revealed Himself as the "pearl of great price" in its peerless beauty, as the "bundle of myrrh" in its refreshing fragrance, as the "rose of Sharon" in its lasting perfume, and as the "lily" in its spotless purity. As a help to high thoughts of Christ, remember the esteem in which He is held beyond the skies, where things are measured by the right standard. Think how God values the Only Begotten, His unspeakable gift to us. Consider what the angels think of Him, counting it their highest honor to veil their faces at His feet. Consider what the bloodwashed think of Him, as day without night they sing His well-deserved praises. High thoughts of Christ will enable us to act consistently with our relation to Him. The more loftily we see Christ enthroned, and the more lowly we are as we bow before the foot of the throne, the more truly we shall be prepared to act our part toward Him. Our Lord Jesus wants us to think well of Him, that we may cheerfully submit to His authority. High thoughts of Him increase our love, for love and esteem go together. Therefore, believer, think much of your Master's excellencies. Study Him in His primeval glory, before He took your nature on Himself! Think of the mighty love that drew Him from His throne to die on the cross! Admire Him as He conquers all the powers of hell! See Him risen, crowned, glorified! Bow before Him as the Wonderful, the Counselor, the mighty God — for only so will your love to Him be what it should.