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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING
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Friday, May 9, 2008
MORNING:
"Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings."
-- Ephesians 1:3
All the goodness of the past, the present, and the future, Christ
bestows upon his people. In the mysterious ages of the past the Lord
Jesus was his Father's first elect, and in his election he gave us an
interest, for we were chosen in him from before the foundation of the
world. He had from all eternity the prerogatives of Sonship, as his
Father's only-begotten and well-beloved Son, and he has, in the riches
of his grace, by adoption and regeneration, elevated us to sonship
also, so that to us he has given "power to become the sons of God." The
eternal covenant, based upon suretiship and confirmed by oath, is ours,
for our strong consolation and security. In the everlasting settlements
of predestinating wisdom and omnipotent decree, the eye of the Lord
Jesus was ever fixed on us; and we may rest assured that in the whole
roll of destiny there is not a line which militates against the
interests of his redeemed. The great betrothal of the Prince of Glory
is ours, for it is to us that he is affianced, as the sacred nuptials
shall ere long declare to an assembled universe. The marvellous
incarnation of the God of heaven, with all the amazing condescension
and humiliation which attended it, is ours. The bloody sweat, the
scourge, the cross, are ours for ever. Whatever blissful consequences
flow from perfect obedience, finished atonement, resurrection,
ascension, or intercession, all are ours by his own gift. Upon his
breastplate he is now bearing our names; and in his authoritative
pleadings at the throne he remembers our persons and pleads our cause.
his dominion over principalities and powers, and his absolute majesty
in heaven, he employs for the benefit of them who trust in him. His
high estate is as much at our service as was his condition of
abasement. He who gave himself for us in the depths of woe and death,
doth not withdraw the grant now that he is enthroned in the highest
heavens.
EVENING:
"Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field ... let us
see if the vine flourish."
-- Song of Solomon 7:11,12
The church was about to engage in earnest labour, and desired her
Lord's company in it. She does not say, "I will go," but "let us go."
It is blessed working when Jesus is at our side! It is the business of
God's people to be trimmers of God's vines. Like our first parents, we
are put into the garden of the Lord for usefulness; let us therefore go
forth into the field. Observe that the church, when she is in her right
mind, in all her many labours desires to enjoy communion with Christ.
Some imagine that they cannot serve Christ actively, and yet have
fellowship with him: they are mistaken. Doubtless it is very easy to
fritter away our inward life in outward exercises, and come to complain
with the spouse, "They made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own
vineyard have I not kept:" but there is no reason why this should be
the case except our own folly and neglect. Certain is it that a
professor may do nothing, and yet grow quite as lifeless in spiritual
things as those who are most busy. Mary was not praised for sitting
still; but for her sitting at Jesus' feet. Even so, Christians are not
to be praised for neglecting duties under the pretence of having secret
fellowship with Jesus: it is not sitting, but sitting at Jesus' feet
which is commendable. Do not think that activity is in itself an evil:
it is a great blessing, and a means of grace to us. Paul called it a
grace given to him to be allowed to preach; and every form of Christian
service may become a personal blessing to those engaged in it. Those
who have most fellowship with Christ are not recluses or hermits, who
have much time to spare, but indefatigable labourers who are toiling
for Jesus, and who, in their toil, have him side by side with them, so
that they are workers together with God. Let us remember then, in
anything we have to do for Jesus, that we can do it, and should do it
in close communion with him.
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Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
and preacher Charles Spurgeon. It's part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine,
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