By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson
ISAIAH 44:22 ~ "I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."
ISAIAH 44:22 ~ "I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."
My heart has been captured by the depth of this journal penned by a fellow servant of God, C.H. Spurgeon—blessed with a brilliant skill in writing, yet embraced such humility in Christ as he preached God's Word during his life here on earth. Such an amazing God who saved and changed this man’s life, is the same God who did such things to a stubborn heart such as mine. Yet, this Great God, this Great Savior, has changed this small heart of mine to do such great works for Him ... "But I am imperfect, LORD!", my soul’s plea. "Ah, I have forgiven you My child, and have blotted out all your transgressions through My Only Begotten Son, Jesus! In the eyes of the world you may be imperfect, but I see You perfect as I see My Son in you. In your weakness I am strong. I have loved you, and will always will through eternity. Don’t you ever doubt that."
"Love Is Strong As Death." —Song of Solomon 8:6
Whose love can this be which is as mighty as the conqueror of monarchs, the destroyer of the human race? Would it not sound like satire if it were applied to my poor, weak, and 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 which is here spoken of-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? Hast thou no emotions excited within thee at the contemplation of such heavenly affection? Yes, my Lord, I long, I pant to feel Thy love flaming like a furnace within me. Come Thou Thyself and excite the ardour of my spirit.
"For every drop of crimson bloodThus shed to make me live,O wherefore, wherefore have not IA 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, and yet out of weakness were made strong. Grace gave them all their unflinching constancy—there is the same grace for me. Jesus, lover of my soul, shed abroad such love, even Thy love in my heart, this evening.
Song:
TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
By: Frances R. Havergal, 1874
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
