Spikenard

"While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof."—Song of Solomon 1:12.

That was a precious testimony Mary gave of her love to Jesus; and Jesus himself hath given his approbation of it, when she anointed Jesus's feet with the spikenard. God our Father hath anointed his dear Son; and so ought we. Surely God's anointed should be our anointed; and if Mary poured forth the best of her offerings, my soul, do thou the same. Indeed, while the king sitteth at his table, and reigneth in thine heart, the graces will flow. Yes, thou heavenly King! when thou spreadest thy table, and callest thy redeemed as thy guests, while thou suppest with them, and they with thee, the humble spikenard, in the heart of a sinner, awakened by thy grace, and brought forth into exercise, will send forth all that shall testify love, and praise, and affection, and duty, and regard. Do thou then, dearest Lord, sit as a king frequently at thy table. Let me hear thy gracious invitation: "Eat, O friends; yea, drink abundantly, O beloved!" And, O thou heavenly Master! as all at the table is thine; the bread of life, the water of life, the wine of thy banquet—and all is thine own, and of thine own do thy redeemed give thee; "let me hear thy voice, let me see thy countenance." And while thou givest forth thyself with all thy fulness, O let my poor spikenard send forth faith and grace in lively exercise, that I may eat of thy flesh, and drink of thy blood, and have eternal life abiding in me.

- Robert Hawker, The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions, September 10, Morning