“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 blood
Thus shed to make me live,
O wherefore, wherefore have not I
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, 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.

On this day...

• Genesis 12 - 2024
• Genesis 11 - 2024
• Our words and deeds are irrevocable - 2010
• DOES MY SACRIFICE LIVE? - 2009
• DOES MY SACRIFICE LIVE? - 2009
• Proverb 17:11 - 2009