Shift the Kaleidoscope

"Behold, You are beautiful, my Beloved."

Song of Solomon 1:16

From every point, our Well-beloved is most beautiful. Our various experiences are meant to furnish fresh viewpoints from which we may consider the loveliness of Jesus!

How amiable are our trials—when they carry us aloft where we may gain clearer views of Jesus, than ordinary life could afford us! We have seen Him from the languishing of a sick bed, from the borders of the grave—we have turned our eyes to our soul's spouse, and He has never been otherwise than "all beauteous." Many of His saints have looked upon Him from the gloom of dungeons, and from the red flames of the stake—yet they have never uttered a bad word about Him—but have died extolling His surpassing charms! Oh, noble and pleasant employment—to be forever gazing at our sweet Lord Jesus!

Is it not unspeakably delightful—to view the Savior in all His offices, and to perceive Him matchless in each—to shift the kaleidoscope, as it were—and to find fresh combinations of His peerless graces? 

In the manger—and in eternity; 

on the cross—and on His throne; 

in the garden—and in His kingdom;

among thieves—or in the midst of cherubim

—He is everywhere—altogether lovely!
Examine carefully every little act of His life, and every trait of His character, and He is as lovely in the minute as in the majestic. Judge Him as you will—you cannot censure! Weigh Him as you please—and He will not be found lacking. Eternity shall not discover the shadow of a spot in our Beloved! But rather, as countless ages revolve, His hidden glories shall shine forth with yet more inconceivable splendor, and His unutterable loveliness shall more and more ravish all celestial minds!

(Charles Spurgeon)