Morning and Evening with Charles Spurgeon
Morning and Evening with Charles Spurgeon

April 1 | Morning

3 min
•Apr 1, 202618 days ago
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Summary

Charles Spurgeon delivers a devotional reflection on Song of Solomon 1:2, exploring the theme of intimate spiritual communion with Jesus. He contrasts different expressions of love and fellowship, from reconciliation at conversion through daily communion to ultimate consummation in heaven, emphasizing that intimate fellowship with Christ is the believer's deepest rest and joy.

Insights
  • Spiritual intimacy with Christ progresses through distinct stages: reconciliation at conversion, acceptance through grace, daily communion, and ultimate reception in heaven
  • Bold, fervent love toward Christ removes fear and hesitation, enabling believers to approach God with confidence rather than trembling
  • Communion with Jesus is positioned as deeper and more sustaining than faith alone—faith is the journey, but communion is the destination of rest
  • Authentic spiritual affection is characterized by directness and immediacy, bypassing formality to engage with what matters most
  • The believer's deepest need is met through the intersection of Christ's fullness with human emptiness, creating complete joy
Trends
Emphasis on experiential, relational spirituality over doctrinal abstractionProgressive theology of spiritual development from initial conversion through mature communionReframing of fear and trembling as obstacles to overcome through understanding God's graceIntegration of Old Testament poetry (Song of Solomon) into Christian devotional practiceFocus on emotional and affective dimensions of faith as legitimate spiritual experience
Topics
Spiritual Intimacy with ChristSong of Solomon InterpretationChristian Conversion ExperienceDivine Grace and AcceptanceDaily Spiritual CommunionFear and Confidence in FaithReconciliation TheologyEschatology and HeavenAffective SpiritualityBeliever's Fellowship with Jesus
People
Charles Spurgeon
Delivers the devotional reflection and theological commentary on spiritual intimacy with Christ
Jesus
Central figure discussed as the object of spiritual affection and communion in Christian faith
Quotes
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth."
Song of Solomon 1:2 (quoted by Spurgeon)•Opening
"Faith is our walk, but intimate fellowship is our rest. Faith is the road, but communion with Jesus is the well from which the pilgrim drinks."
Charles Spurgeon
"How bold is her love! It was true condescension that allowed the sinful woman to anoint Jesus' feet with spices."
Charles Spurgeon
"O lover of our souls, do not be distant. Let the lips of your blessing meet the lips of our asking."
Charles Spurgeon
Full Transcript
April 1st, morning. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. Song of Solomon, chapter 1, verse 2. For several days we have been dwelling upon the Saviour's passion, and for some little time to come we shall linger there. In beginning a new month, let us seek the Lord with a desire that glowed in the heart of this woman. See how she leaps at once to him. There are no introductions. She does not even mention his name. She is in the heart of her theme at once, for she speaks of him who is the only him in the world to her. How bold is her love! It was true condescension that allowed the sinful woman to anoint Jesus' feet with spices. It was rich love that allowed the gentle Mary to sit at his feet and learn of him. But in this picture we see strong, fervent love aspiring to higher tokens of affection and closer signs of fellowship. Esther trembled in the presence of Ahasuerus, but the woman in joyful liberty of perfect love knows no fear. If we have received the same free spirit, we may also ask the same. By kisses we supposed to be intended those varied manifestations of affection by which the believer is made to enjoy the love of Jesus. The kiss of reconciliation we enjoyed at our conversion, and it was sweet as honey dropping from the comb. The kiss of acceptance is still warm on our brow, as we know that he has accepted us through rich grace. The kiss of daily, present communion is that which we long to be repeated day after day, till it is changed into the kiss of reception, which removes the soul from earth and the kiss of consummation that fills it with the joy of heaven. Faith is our walk, but intimate fellowship is our rest. Faith is the road, but communion with Jesus is the well from which the pilgrim drinks. O lover of our souls, do not be distant. Let the lips of your blessing meet the lips of our asking. Let the lips of your fullness touch the lips of our need, and immediately our joy will be full.