Sometimes the Lord Jesus tells his Church his love thoughts. He doesn't think it enough to speak behind her back—no, in her very presence he declares, "You are altogether beautiful, my love." True, this is not his ordinary method. He is a wise lover who knows when to keep back the intimation of love and when to let it out. But there are times when he will make no secret of it—times when he will put it beyond all dispute in the souls of his people.
The Holy Spirit is often pleased, in a most gracious manner, to witness with our spirits of the love of Jesus. He takes the things of Christ and reveals them to us. No voice is heard from the clouds, and no vision is seen in the night, but we have a testimony more sure than either of these. If an angel should fly from heaven and inform you personally of the Savior's love, the evidence would not be one whit more satisfactory than that which is borne in your heart by the Holy Spirit.
Ask those of the Lord's people who have lived nearest to the gates of heaven, and they will tell you that they have had seasons when the love of Christ toward them has been a fact so clear and sure, they could no more doubt it than they could question their own existence.
Yes, beloved believer, you and I have had times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and then our faith has mounted to the topmost heights of assurance. We have had confidence to lean our heads upon the bosom of our Lord, and we have no more questioned our Master's affection than John did when in that blessed posture—nay, not so much! For the dark question, "Lord, is it I who shall betray you?" has been put far from us.
He has kissed us with the kisses of his mouth and killed our doubts by the closeness of his embrace. His love has been sweeter than wine to our souls.
Closing Prayer
Today, beloved, open your heart to receive what the Spirit delights to give—the witness of Christ's personal, passionate love for you. Let him kill your doubts with the closeness of his embrace.