April 25

Morning

Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away. — Song 2:10

Lo, I hear the voice of my Beloved! He speaks to me! Fair weather is smiling upon the face of the earth, and He would not have me spiritually asleep while nature is all around me awaking from her winter’s rest. He bids me “Rise up!” and well He may, for I have long enough been lying among the pots of worldliness. He is risen, I am risen in Him, why then should I cleave unto the dust? From lower loves, desires, pursuits, and aspirations—I would rise towards Him.

He calls me by the sweet title of “My love” and regards me as beautiful! This is a good encouragement for my rising. If He has thus exalted me, and thinks me thus lovely—how can I linger in the dark tents of Kedar and find congenial associates among the world?

He bids me “Come away!” Come away further and further from everything selfish, groveling, worldly, and sinful! He calls me from the outwardly religious world which knows Him not, and has no sympathy with the mystery of the pious life.

“Come away” has no harsh sound in it to my ear—for what is there to hold me in this wilderness of vanity and sin? O my Lord, would that I could come away but I am stuck among the thorns and cannot escape from them as I would. I would, if it were possible, have neither eyes, nor ears, nor heart for sin!

You call me to Yourself by saying “Come away!” and this is a melodious call indeed. To come to You is to come home from exile; to come to land out of the raging storm; to come to rest after long labor, to come to the goal of my desires and the summit of my wishes! But Lord, how can a stone rise, how can a lump of clay come away from the horrible pit? O raise me, draw me and I will run after You! Your grace alone can do it. Send forth Your Holy Spirit to kindle sacred flames of love in my heart and I will continue to rise until I leave life and time behind me, and indeed come away!

Evening

If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him. — Rev 3:20

What is your desire this evening? Is it set upon heavenly things? Do you long to enjoy the Father’s eternal love? Do you desire liberty in very close communion with God? Do you aspire to know the heights, and depths, and lengths, and breadths? Then you must draw near to Jesus; you must get a clear sight of Him in His preciousness and completeness; you must view Him in His work, in His offices, in His person. He who understands Christ, receives an anointing from the Holy One, by which He knows all things. Christ is the great master-key of all the chambers of God. There is no treasure-house of God which will not open and yield up all its wealth to the soul that lives near to Jesus.

Are you saying, “O that He would dwell in my bosom! Would that He would make my heart His dwelling-place forever!” Open the door, beloved, and He will come into your souls. He has long been knocking, and all with this object, that He may sup with you, and you with Him. He sups with you because you open your heart, and you with Him because He brings the provision. He could not sup with you if your heart was closed; nor could you sup with Him, if He did not bring provision with Him. Fling wide, then, the portals of your soul. He will come with that love which you long to feel; He will come with that joy into which you cannot work your poor depressed spirit; He will bring the peace which now you have not; He will come with His flagons of wine and sweet apples of love, and cheer you until you have no other sickness but that of “love overpowering, love divine.” Only open the door to Him, drive out His enemies, give Him the keys of your heart and He will dwell there forever! Oh, wondrous love, that brings such a guest to dwell in such a heart!