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Have you sinned and now feel that God has left you? Would you like to experience God’s love and forgiveness for your attitudes and actions?
Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for Dec 26th, PM.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.
“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
The Lord Jesus is always intimately involved in His church. He walks among you, and His promise is “I am with you always.” He is as close to us now as He was to the disciples at the lake when they sat and ate fish with Him around a fire. Not physically, but still in real truth and presence, Jesus is with us.
And this is a blessed truth, since where Jesus is, love becomes inflamed. Of all the things in the world that can set the heart burning, there is nothing like the presence of Jesus! A glimpse of Him so overcomes us, that we are ready to say, “Turn your eyes from me; they overwhelm me.” (Song of Solomon 6:5) Even the touch of His garments causes the sick and the faint to grow strong. If we, for even a moment, lean our heads against Him and receive His divine love into our poor cold hearts, we are cold no longer, but glow hot in love. We will gain strength equal to every labor and capable of withstanding every suffering.
If we know that Jesus is with us, all our abilities will be developed, every grace strengthened. We must cast ourselves into the Lord’s service with heart, and soul, and strength. Therefore, the presence of Christ is to be desired above anything else. Those who are most like Him will most clearly appreciate his presence. If you desire to see Christ, you must seek to conform ever more closely to Him. Bring yourself, by the power of the Spirit, into union with Christ’s desires, and motives, and plans of action, and you are likely to be favored with His company.
Remember, Jesus is with you. His promise is as true as ever. He delights to be with us. If He does not come, if He does not seem close, it is because we hinder Him by our indifference. He will reveal Himself to our earnest prayers, and graciously lend an ear to our praises, requests, and tears, for these are the golden chains which bind Jesus to His people.
Lord Jesus,
Today I draw near to You and ask You to fill me with Your peace and Your presence by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Questions: How does knowing that Jesus is as close to you as He was with the disciples make a difference in how you live your life daily?
About this Author Charles Spurgeon
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, What’s Your Excuse?, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
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Thank you, Darren, for rendering Spurgeon’s words so eloguently! He is one of my favorites! These words speak truth about our Lord, that His closeness to us is only limited by our own hearts, and our own genuine longing, or lack thereof! He does not expect perfection, only humble submission to His authority in our lives, and a sincere effort to seek His ways and Truth. We cannot do this without the infusion of the Holy Spirit in us, for He leads us and empowers us to follow Christ, and to become more like Him each day! If we have not seen changes in our character or lives since ‘accepting Christ,’ it is paramount to examine our hearts to determine the obstacle. It may be continued unbelief, or persistent sin behavior (rebellion), or perhaps the possibility of not becoming saved yet. This is critical, for we are told in Scriptures to make certain of our salvation. (2 Peter 1:10) A hungry heart will seek spiritual food, and only Jesus satisfies our hunger. There are many counterfeits out there, using psychology to inspire and pacify, but none will produce the transcendent peace and joy of fellowship with our Creator, our Saviour!
thank you darren for the devotional.
to answer your question: i don’t feel alone, weak, helpless, indecisive, hopeless. I am strong, confident, inspired, determined. I feel like I have a confidant in Jesus, a best friend that I know won’t betray me, desert me. He has been understanding, loving but stern when I need it. I have peace in my heart for the first time in my life and the energy to share.
i know that The Lord is always with me
I love to meditate Charles Spurgeon’s writings…He expressses in words what I feel in my heart about LORD Jesus. The closenesss is there when I can be humble… The old hymn “What a Friend I have in Jesus” is great