Morning
Time: 5:39 AM PST
"Ask, and it shall be given you." --Matthew 7:7
We know of a place in England still existing, where a dole of bread is served
to every passerby who chooses to ask for it. Whoever the traveller may be, he
has but to knock at the door of St. Cross Hospital, and there is the dole of
bread for him. Jesus Christ so loveth sinners that He has built a St. Cross
Hospital, so that whenever a sinner is hungry, he has but to knock and have his
wants supplied. Nay, He has done better; He has attached to this Hospital of the
Cross a bath; and whenever a soul is black and filthy, it has but to go there
and be washed. The fountain is always full, always efficacious. No sinner ever
went into it and found that it could not wash away his stains. Sins which were
scarlet and crimson have all disappeared, and the sinner has been whiter than
snow. As if this were not enough, there is attached to this Hospital of the
Cross a wardrobe, and a sinner making application simply as a sinner, may be
clothed from head to foot; and if he wishes to be a soldier, he may not merely
have a garment for ordinary wear, but armour which shall cover him from the sole
of his foot to the crown of his head. If he asks for a sword, he shall have that
given to him, and a shield too. Nothing that is good for him shall be denied
him. He shall have spending-money so long as he lives, and he shall have an
eternal heritage of glorious treasure when he enters into the joy of his Lord.
If all these things are to be had by merely knocking at mercy's door, O my
soul, knock hard this morning, and ask large things of thy generous Lord. Leave
not the throne of grace till all thy wants have been spread before the Lord, and
until by faith thou hast a comfortable prospect that they shall be all supplied.
No bashfulness need retard when Jesus invites. No unbelief should hinder when
Jesus promises. No cold-heartedness should restrain when such blessings are to
be obtained.