Tis but a taste!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"A pledge of our inheritance." Ephesians 1:14

Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart-is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone.

Yet the realization which we have of Christ's preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, "Tis but a taste!" We have but tasted "that the Lord is gracious," but we do not yet know how good and gracious He is. We know somewhat of His sweetness, and this makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the first fruits-and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fullness of the heavenly vintage. Here on earth, we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol-there we shall be in the vineyard!

We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together. As one says, "He who has been in heaven but five minutes-knows more than all the theologians on earth combined!"

We have many ungratified spiritual desires at present-but soon every wish shall be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy.

O Christian, within a very little time you shall be rid of all your trials and your troubles.
Your eyes which are now suffused with tears, shall weep no longer.
You shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits on His glorious throne.
Nay, more-you shall sit with Him upon His throne!

The triumph of His glory shall be shared by you! His crown, His joy, His paradise-these shall be yours!
You shall be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-reserved in Heaven for you!" 1 Peter 1:3-4