December 17 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

John 17:20–23

Devotional

If the union between our souls and the person of our Lord is like this, then how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow rivulet through which only a thread-like stream may wind its way. It is a great river of amazing depth and breadth along whose glorious length a huge volume of living water may roll its floods.

Behold! he has set an open door before us. Let us not be slow to enter. This city of fellowship has many pearly gates, each gate made of one pearl. And each is thrown open as wide as possible so that we may enter with the full assurance of welcome. If there was even a small hole through which we could talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to get a word of fellowship in edgewise. But oh! how greatly we are blessed at having so large an entrance! If the Lord Jesus were far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we’d long to send a messenger to him to carry him our love and to bring us tidings from his Father’s house. But see his kindness! He has built his house next door to ours. No, even more, he lives with us, even within us. He tabernacles in poor humble hearts so that he may have perpetual interaction with us.

Oh! how foolish must we be if we don’t live in habitual fellowship with him. When the road is long and dangerous and difficult, it’s no wonder that friends seldom meet each other. But when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? When her husband is on a journey, a wife may go a while without conversing with him, but if she knew that he was in one of the rooms in her own house, she could never endure to be separated from him.

Why, believer, do you not sit at his banquet of wine? Seek your Lord, for he is near. Embrace him, for he is your Brother. Hold him fast, for he is your Husband. And press him to your heart, for he is of your own flesh.

[July 31]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.