Reading: “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is towards me.”—Song of Solomon 7:10

Yes, dearest Jesus! I am truly yours, by every tie which can make me yours. I am yours by the gift of God the FATHER; by your own betrothing me to yourself; by the HOLY GHOST anointing me and making me one with you, and in you, before the world. And I am yours in the recovery of the church from Adam’s fall and transgression by your sacrifice: for you have bought me with your blood, and made me thereby the conquest of your HOLY SPIRIT.

And now through divine teaching I can and do discover that from everlasting your desire was towards your redeemed ones, and even when dead in trespasses and sins, it was your desire to quicken them into life, and bring them to yourself. And even now, notwithstanding my backwardness to you, you rest in your love, and you call me by your grace, and seek continual fellowship in ordinances, and by your word and providences—all which prove that your desire is towards me. And as to the everlasting enjoyment of all your church above, your prayer to the Father manifested your desire, when you said, “Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me to behold my glory!” Are these not the desires of my God and Saviour, my Husband, my Brother, my Friend? And will my heart be cold towards you? Oh, for the reviving influences of the Holy Spirit, that I may cry out with the church, “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy love is better than wine.”

“I must confess that I never realize Christ’s preciousness so much as when I feel myself still to be, apart from Him, an undeserving, hell-deserving sinner.”—C. H. Spurgeon

Taken from The Poor Man’s Evening and Morning Portions by Rev. Robert Hawker, Works, Vol. 8; 1830. Edited by Aaron Dunlop for thinkgospel.com ©2013.