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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING
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Sunday, January 13, 2008
MORNING:
"Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold:
but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber"
-- 1 Kings 22:48
Solomon's ships had returned in safety, but Jehoshaphat's vessels never
reached the land of gold. Providence prospers one, and frustrates the
desires of another, in the same business and at the same spot, yet the
Great Ruler is as good and wise at one time as another. May we have
grace to-day, in the remembrance of this text, to bless the Lord for
ships broken at Ezion-geber, as well as for vessels freighted with
temporal blessings; let us not envy the more successful, nor murmur at
our losses as though we were singularly and specially tried. Like
Jehoshaphat, we may be precious in the Lord's sight, although our
schemes end in disappointment.
The secret cause of Jehoshaphat's loss is well worthy of notice, for it
is the root of very much of the suffering of the Lord's people; it was
his alliance with a sinful family, his fellowship with sinners. In 2
Ch. 20:37, we are told that the Lord sent a prophet to declare,
"Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken
thy works." This was a fatherly chastisement, which appears to have
been blest to him; for in the verse which succeeds our morning's text
we find him refusing to allow his servants to sail in the same vessels
with those of the wicked king. Would to God that Jehoshaphat's
experience might be a warning to the rest of the Lord's people, to
avoid being unequally yoked together with unbelievers! A life of misery
is usually the lot of those who are united in marriage, or in any other
way of their own choosing, with the men of the world. O for such love
to Jesus that, like him, we may be holy, harmless, undefiled, and
separate from sinners; for if it be not so with us, we may expect to
hear it often said, "The Lord hath broken thy works."
EVENING:
"The iron did swim."
-- 2 Kings 6:9
The axe-head seemed hopelessly lost, and as it was borrowed, the honour
of the prophetic band was likely to be imperilled, and so the name of
their God to be compromised. Contrary to all expectation, the iron was
made to mount from the depth of the stream and to swim; for things
impossible with man are possible with God. I knew a man in Christ but a
few years ago who was called to undertake a work far exceeding his
strength. It appeared so difficult as to involve absurdity in the bare
idea of attempting it. Yet he was called thereto, and his faith rose
with the occasion; God honoured his faith, unlooked-for aid was sent,
and the iron did swim. Another of the Lord's family was in grievous
financial straits, he was able to meet all claims, and much more if he
could have realized a certain portion of his estate, but he was
overtaken with a sudden pressure; he sought for friends in vain, but
faith led him to the unfailing Helper, and lo, the trouble was averted,
his footsteps were enlarged, and the iron did swim. A third had a
sorrowful case of depravity to deal with. He had taught, reproved,
warned, invited, and interceded, but all in vain. Old Adam was too
strong for young Melancthon, the stubborn spirit would not relent. Then
came an agony of prayer, and before long a blessed answer was sent from
heaven. The hard heart was broken, the iron did swim.
Beloved reader, what is thy desperate case? What heavy matter hast thou
in hand this evening? Bring it hither. The God of the prophets lives,
and lives to help his saints. He will not suffer thee to lack any good
thing. Believe thou in the Lord of hosts! Approach him pleading the
name of Jesus, and the iron shall swim; thou too shalt see the finger
of God working marvels for his people. According to thy faith be it
unto thee, and yet again the iron shall swim.
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