-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
MORNING:
"Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi."
-- Genesis 25:11
Hagar had once found deliverance there and Ishmael had drank from the
water so graciously revealed by the God who liveth and seeth the sons
of men; but this was a merely casual visit, such as worldlings pay to
the Lord in times of need, when it serves their turn. They cry to him
in trouble, but forsake him in prosperity. Isaac dwelt there, and made
the well of the living and all-seeing God his constant source of
supply. The usual tenor of a man's life, the dwelling of his soul, is
the true test of his state. Perhaps the providential visitation
experienced by Hagar struck Isaac's mind, and led him to revere the
place; its mystical name endeared it to him; his frequent musings by
its brim at eventide made him familiar with the well; his meeting
Rebecca there had made his spirit feel at home near the spot; but best
of all, the fact that he there enjoyed fellowship with the living God,
had made him select that hallowed ground for his dwelling. Let us learn
to live in the presence of the living God; let us pray the Holy Spirit
that this day, and every other day, we may feel, "Thou God seest me."
May the Lord Jehovah be as a well to us, delightful, comforting,
unfailing, springing up unto eternal life. The bottle of the creature
cracks and dries up, but the well of the Creator never fails; happy is
he who dwells at the well, and so has abundant and constant supplies
near at hand. The Lord has been a sure helper to others: his name is
Shaddai, God All-sufficient; our hearts have often had most delightful
intercourse with him; through him our soul has found her glorious
Husband, the Lord Jesus; and in him this day we live, and move, and
have our being; let us, then, dwell in closest fellowship with him.
Glorious Lord, constrain us that we may never leave thee, but dwell by
the well of the living God.
EVENING:
"Whereas the Lord was there."
-- Ezekiel 35:10
Edom's princes saw the whole country left desolate, and counted upon
its easy conquest; but there was one great difficulty in their
way-quite unknown to them-"The Lord was there"; and in his presence lay
the special security of the chosen land. Whatever may be the
machinations and devices of the enemies of God's people, there is still
the same effectual barrier to thwart their design. The saints are God's
heritage, and he is in the midst of them, and will protect his own.
What comfort this assurance yields us in our troubles and spiritual
conflicts! We are constantly opposed, and yet perpetually preserved!
How often Satan shoots his arrows against our faith, but our faith
defies the power of hell's fiery darts; they are not only turned aside,
but they are quenched upon its shield, for "the Lord is there." Our
good works are the subjects of Satan's attacks. A saint never yet had a
virtue or a grace which was not the target for hellish bullets: whether
it was hope bright and sparkling, or love warm and fervent, or patience
all-enduring, or zeal flaming like coals of fire, the old enemy of
everything that is good has tried to destroy it. The only reason why
anything virtuous or lovely survives in us is this, "the Lord is
there."
If the Lord be with us through life, we need not fear for our dying
confidence; for when we come to die, we shall find that "the Lord is
there"; where the billows are most tempestuous, and the water is most
chill, we shall feel the bottom, and know that it is good: our feet
shall stand upon the Rock of Ages when time is passing away. Beloved,
from the first of a Christian's life to the last, the only reason why
he does not perish is because "the Lord is there." When the God of
everlasting love shall change and leave his elect to perish, then may
the Church of God be destroyed; but not till then, because it is
written, JEHOVAH SHAMMAH, "The Lord is there."
/--- Sponsor a Child with Compassion -----------------------\
For less than a dollar a day, you can make a powerful
difference in the life of a needy child. Click on the
following link to learn more about sponsoring a child
through Compassion!
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/92/ -------------------/
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
THE REASON FOR GOD: BELIEF IN GOD IN AN AGE OF SKEPTICISM, by Timothy Keller
Responding to the questions of open skeptics and ardent believers,
Keller draws from literature, philosophy, reason, and real-life
conversations to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly
rational belief.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?222
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!
http://www.heartlight.org
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
======================================================================
