February 15

“Whereby they have made Thee glad” — Psalm xlv. 8.

JND who are thus privileged to make the Saviour glad? His church — His people. But is it possible? He makes v glad, but how can we make Him glad? By our love. Ah! we think it so cold, so faint; and so, indeed, we must sorrowfully confess it to be, but it is very sweet to Christ. Hear His own eulogy of that love in the golden Canticle: “How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine!” See, loving heart, how He delights in you. When you lean your head on His bosom, you not only receive, but you give Him joy; when you gaze with love upon His all-glorious face, you not only obtain comfort, but impart delight. Our rat se, too, gives Hira joy — not the song of the lips alone, but the melody of the heart’s deep gratitude. Our gifts, too, are very pleasant to Him; He loves to see us lay our time, our talents, our substance upon His altar, not for the value of what we give, but for the sake of the motive from which the gift springs. T6 Him the lowly offerings of His saints are more acceptable than thousands of gold and silver. Soilness is like frankincense and myrrh to Him. Forgive your enemy, and you make Christ glad; distribute of your substance to the poor, and He reioices; be the means of saving souls, and you give Him to see of the travail of His soul; proclaim His gospel, and you are a sweet savor unto Him; go among the ignorant and lift up the cross, and you have given Him honor. It is in your power even now to break the alabaster bos, and pour the precious oil of joy upon His head, as did the woman of old, whose nieaiorial is to this day set forth wherever the gospel e preached. Will you be backward then? Will you not perfume your beloved Lord with the myrrh, and aloes, and cassia of your heart’s praise? Yes, ye ivory palaces, ye shall hear the songs of the saints 1