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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
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Saturday, April 18, 2009
MORNING:
"She bound the scarlet line in the window."
-- Joshua 2:21
Rahab depended for her preservation upon the promise of the spies, whom
she looked upon as the representatives of the God of Israel. Her faith
was simple and firm, but it was very obedient. To tie the scarlet line
in the window was a very trivial act in itself, but she dared not run
the risk of omitting it. Come, my soul, is there not here a lesson for
thee? Hast thou been attentive to all thy Lord's will, even though some
of his commands should seem non-essential? Hast thou observed in his
own way the two ordinances of believers' baptism and the Lord's Supper?
These neglected, argue much unloving disobedience in thy heart. Be
henceforth in all things blameless, even to the tying of a thread, if
that be matter of command.
This act of Rahab sets forth a yet more solemn lesson. Have I
implicitly trusted in the precious blood of Jesus? Have I tied the
scarlet cord, as with a Gordian knot in my window, so that my trust can
never be removed? Or can I look out towards the Dead Sea of my sins, or
the Jerusalem of my hopes, without seeing the blood, and seeing all
things in connection with its blessed power? The passer-by can see a
cord of so conspicuous a colour, if it hangs from the window: it will
be well for me if my life makes the efficacy of the atonement
conspicuous to all onlookers. What is there to be ashamed of? Let men
or devils gaze if they will, the blood is my boast and my song. My
soul, there is One who will see that scarlet line, even when from
weakness of faith thou canst not see it thyself; Jehovah, the Avenger,
will see it and pass over thee. Jericho's walls fell flat: Rahab's
house was on the wall, and yet it stood unmoved; my nature is built
into the wall of humanity, and yet when destruction smites the race, I
shall be secure. My soul, tie the scarlet thread in the window afresh,
and rest in peace.
EVENING:
"And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good."
-- Genesis 32:12
When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was
coming with armed men, he earnestly sought God's protection, and as a
master reason he pleaded, "And thou saidst, I will surely do thee
good." Oh, the force of that plea! He was holding God to his word-"Thou
saidst." The attribute of God's faithfulness is a splendid horn of the
altar to lay hold upon; but the promise, which has in it the attribute
and something more, is a yet mightier holdfast-"Thou saidst, I will
surely do thee good." And has he said, and shall he not do it? "Let God
be true, and every man a liar." Shall not he be true? Shall he not keep
his word? Shall not every word that cometh out of his lips stand fast
and be fulfilled? Solomon, at the opening of the temple, used this same
mighty plea. He pleaded with God to remember the word which he had
spoken to his father David, and to bless that place. When a man gives a
promissory note, his honour is engaged; he signs his hand, and he must
discharge it when the due time comes, or else he loses credit. It shall
never be said that God dishonours his bills. The credit of the Most
High never was impeached, and never shall be. He is punctual to the
moment: he never is before his time, but he never is behind it. Search
God's word through, and compare it with the experience of God's people,
and you shall find the two tally from the first to the last. Many a
hoary patriarch has said with Joshua, "Not one thing hath failed of all
the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are
come to pass." If you have a divine promise, you need not plead it with
an "if," you may urge it with certainty. The Lord meant to fulfil the
promise, or he would not have given it. God does not give his words
merely to quiet us, and to keep us hopeful for awhile with the
intention of putting us off at last; but when he speaks, it is because
he means to do as he has said.
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MORNING & EVENING from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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