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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
MORNING:
"Watchman, what of the night?"
-- Isaiah 21:11
What enemies are abroad? Errors are a numerous horde, and new ones
appear every hour: against what heresy am I to be on my guard? Sins
creep from their lurking places when the darkness reigns; I must myself
mount the watch-tower, and watch unto prayer. Our heavenly Protector
foresees all the attacks which are about to be made upon us, and when
as yet the evil designed us is but in the desire of Satan, he prays for
us that our faith fail not, when we are sifted as wheat. Continue O
gracious Watchman, to forewarn us of our foes, and for Zion's sake hold
not thy peace.
"Watchman, what of the night?" What weather is coming for the Church?
Are the clouds lowering, or is it all clear and fair overhead? We must
care for the Church of God with anxious love; and now that Popery and
infidelity are both threatening, let us observe the signs of the times
and prepare for conflict.
"Watchman, what of the night?" What stars are visible? What precious
promises suit our present case? You sound the alarm, give us the
consolation also. Christ, the polestar, is ever fixed in his place, and
all the stars are secure in the right hand of their Lord.
But watchman, when comes the morning? The Bridegroom tarries. Are there
no signs of his coming forth as the Sun of Righteousness? Has not the
morning star arisen as the pledge of day? When will the day dawn, and
the shadows flee away? O Jesus, if thou come not in person to thy
waiting Church this day, yet come in Spirit to my sighing heart, and
make it sing for joy.
"Now all the earth is bright and glad
With the fresh morn;
But all my heart is cold, and dark and sad:
Sun of the soul, let me behold thy dawn!
Come, Jesus, Lord,
O quickly come, according to thy word."
EVENING:
"Let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and
Amen."
-- Psalms 72:19
This is a large petition. To intercede for a whole city needs a stretch
of faith, and there are times when a prayer for one man is enough to
stagger us. But how far-reaching was the psalmist's dying intercession!
How comprehensive! How sublime! "Let the whole earth be filled with his
glory." It doth not exempt a single country however crushed by the foot
of superstition; it doth not exclude a single nation however barbarous.
For the cannibal as well as for the civilized, for all climes and races
this prayer is uttered: the whole circle of the earth it encompasses,
and omits no son of Adam. We must be up and doing for our Master, or we
cannot honestly offer such a prayer. The petition is not asked with a
sincere heart unless we endeavour, as God shall help us, to extend the
kingdom of our Master. Are there not some who neglect both to plead and
to labour? Reader, is it your prayer? Turn your eyes to Calvary. Behold
the Lord of Life nailed to a cross, with the thorn-crown about his
brow, with bleeding head, and hands, and feet. What! can you look upon
this miracle of miracles, the death of the Son of God, without feeling
within your bosom a marvellous adoration that language never can
express? And when you feel the blood applied to your conscience, and
know that he has blotted out your sins, you are not a man unless you
start from your knees and cry, "Let the whole earth be filled with his
glory; Amen, and Amen." Can you bow before the Crucified in loving
homage, and not wish to see your Monarch master of the world? Out on
you if you can pretend to love your Prince, and desire not to see him
the universal ruler. Your piety is worthless unless it leads you to
wish that the same mercy which has been extended to you may bless the
whole world. Lord, it is harvest-time, put in thy sickle and reap.
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Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
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