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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
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Friday, April 24, 2009
MORNING:
"And because of all this we make a sure covenant."
-- Nehemiah 9:38
There are many occasions in our experience when we may very rightly,
and with benefit, renew our covenant with God. After recovery from
sickness when, like Hezekiah, we have had a new term of years added to
our life, we may fitly do it. After any deliverance from trouble, when
our joys bud forth anew, let us again visit the foot of the cross, and
renew our consecration. Especially, let us do this after any sin which
has grieved the Holy Spirit, or brought dishonour upon the cause of
God; let us then look to that blood which can make us whiter than snow,
and again offer ourselves unto the Lord. We should not only let our
troubles confirm our dedication to God, but our prosperity should do
the same. If we ever meet with occasions which deserve to be called
"crowning mercies" then, surely, if he hath crowned us, we ought also
to crown our God; let us bring forth anew all the jewels of the divine
regalia which have been stored in the jewel-closet of our heart, and
let our God sit upon the throne of our love, arrayed in royal apparel.
If we would learn to profit by our prosperity, we should not need so
much adversity. If we would gather from a kiss all the good it might
confer upon us, we should not so often smart under the rod. Have we
lately received some blessing which we little expected? Has the Lord
put our feet in a large room? Can we sing of mercies multiplied? Then
this is the day to put our hand upon the horns of the altar, and say,
"Bind me here, my God; bind me here with cords, even for ever."
Inasmuch as we need the fulfilment of new promises from God, let us
offer renewed prayers that our old vows may not be dishonoured. Let us
this morning make with him a sure covenant, because of the pains of
Jesus which for the last month we have been considering with gratitude.
EVENING:
"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of
birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our
land."
-- Song of Solomon 2:12
Sweet is the season of spring: the long and dreary winter helps us to
appreciate its genial warmth, and its promise of summer enhances its
present delights. After periods of depression of spirit, it is
delightful to behold again the light of the Sun of Righteousness; then
our slumbering graces rise from their lethargy, like the crocus and the
daffodil from their beds of earth; then is our heart made merry with
delicious notes of gratitude, far more melodious than the warbling of
birds-and the comforting assurance of peace, infinitely more delightful
than the turtle's note, is heard within the soul. Now is the time for
the soul to seek communion with her Beloved; now must she rise from her
native sordidness, and come away from her old associations. If we do
not hoist the sail when the breeze is favourable, we shall be
blameworthy: times of refreshing ought not to pass over us unimproved.
When Jesus himself visits us in tenderness, and entreats us to arise,
can we be so base as to refuse his request? He has himself risen that
he may draw us after him: he now by his Holy Spirit has revived us,
that we may, in newness of life, ascend into the heavenlies, and hold
communion with himself. Let our wintry state suffice us for coldness
and indifference; when the Lord creates a spring within, let our sap
flow with vigour, and our branch blossom with high resolve. O Lord, if
it be not spring time in my chilly heart, I pray thee make it so, for I
am heartily weary of living at a distance from thee. Oh! the long and
dreary winter, when wilt thou bring it to an end? Come, Holy Spirit,
and renew my soul! quicken thou me! restore me, and have mercy on me!
This very night I would earnestly implore the Lord to take pity upon
his servant, and send me a happy revival of spiritual life!
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MORNING & EVENING from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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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
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