-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING
http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, December 15, 2007
MORNING:
"Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her."
-- Ruth 1:14
Both of them had an affection for Naomi, and therefore set out with her
upon her return to the land of Judah. But the hour of test came; Naomi
most unselfishly set before each of them the trials which awaited them,
and bade them if they cared for ease and comfort to return to their
Moabitish friends. At first both of them declared that they would cast
in their lot with the Lord's people; but upon still further
consideration Orpah with much grief and a respectful kiss left her
mother in law, and her people, and her God, and went back to her
idolatrous friends, while Ruth with all her heart gave herself up to
the God of her mother in law. It is one thing to love the ways of the
Lord when all is fair, and quite another to cleave to them under all
discouragements and difficulties. The kiss of outward profession is
very cheap and easy, but the practical cleaving to the Lord, which must
show itself in holy decision for truth and holiness, is not so small a
matter. How stands the case with us, is our heart fixed upon Jesus, is
the sacrifice bound with cords to the horns of the altar? Have we
counted the cost, and are we solemnly ready to suffer all worldly loss
for the Master's sake? The after gain will be an abundant recompense,
for Egypt's treasures are not to be compared with the glory to be
revealed. Orpah is heard of no more; in glorious ease and idolatrous
pleasure her life melts into the gloom of death; but Ruth lives in
history and in heaven, for grace has placed her in the noble line
whence sprung the King of kings. Blessed among women shall those be who
for Christ's sake can renounce all; but forgotten and worse than
forgotten shall those be who in the hour of temptation do violence to
conscience and turn back unto the world. O that this morning we may not
be content with the form of devotion, which may be no better than
Orpah's kiss, but may the Holy Spirit work in us a cleaving of our
whole heart to our Lord Jesus.
EVENING:
"And lay thy foundations with sapphires."
-- Isaiah 54:11
Not only that which is seen of the church of God, but that which is
unseen, is fair and precious. Foundations are out of sight, and so long
as they are firm it is not expected that they should be valuable; but
in Jehovah's work everything is of a piece, nothing slurred, nothing
mean. The deep foundations of the work of grace are as sapphires for
preciousness, no human mind is able to measure their glory. We build
upon the covenant of grace, which is firmer than adamant, and as
enduring as jewels upon which age spends itself in vain. Sapphire
foundations are eternal, and the covenant abides throughout the
lifetime of the Almighty. Another foundation is the person of the Lord
Jesus, which is clear and spotless, everlasting and beautiful as the
sapphire; blending in one the deep blue of earth's ever rolling ocean
and the azure of its all embracing sky. Once might our Lord have been
likened to the ruby as he stood covered with his own blood, but now we
see him radiant with the soft blue of love, love abounding, deep,
eternal. Our eternal hopes are built upon the justice and the
faithfulness of God, which are clear and cloudless as the sapphire. We
are not saved by a compromise, by mercy defeating justice, or law
suspending its operations; no, we defy the eagle's eye to detect a flaw
in the groundwork of our confidence-our foundation is of sapphire, and
will endure the fire.
The Lord himself has laid the foundation of his people's hopes. It is
matter for grave enquiry whether our hopes are built upon such a basis.
Good works and ceremonies are not a foundation of sapphires, but of
wood, hay, and stubble; neither are they laid by God, but by our own
conceit. Foundations will all be tried ere long: woe unto him whose
lofty tower shall come down with a crash, because based on a quicksand.
He who is built on sapphires may await storm or fire with equanimity,
for he shall abide the test.
/--- MERRY CHRISTMAS! -------------------------------\
Find free e-cards, articles, devotionals, gifts
and more for Christmas at Heartlight!
\------------ http://www.heartlight.org/christmas ---/
Content-type: text/html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
SIMPLY CHRISTIAN: WHY CHRISTIANITY MAKES SENSE, by N. T. Wright
Destined to become a classic alongside Lewis's Mere Christianity - a
fascinating and accessible apologetic for modern seekers.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?255
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
MORNING & EVENING from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/spurgeon
\/
Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
and preacher Charles Spurgeon. It's part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine,
the leading Christian living e-zine on the Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT
on the web for even more devotionals, plus music, articles and more
for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are needed and welcome (and tax-deductible)! Find out how
to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-spurgeon@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
Send a blank email to the unsubscribe address:
spurgeon-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
OTHER QUESTIONS?
Find answers to your frequently asked questions:
http://www.heartlight.org/help/faq/spurgeon.html
======================================================================
