-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
MORNING:
"These were potters, and those that dwelt among plants and
hedges: there they dwelt with the king for his work."
-- 1 Chronicles 4:23
Potters were the very highest grade of workers, but "the king" needed
potters, and therefore they were in royal service, although the
material upon which they worked was nothing but clay. We, too, may be
engaged in the most menial part of the Lord's work, but it is a great
privilege to do anything for "the king"; and therefore we will abide in
our calling, hoping that, "although we have lien among the pots, yet
shall we be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her
feathers with yellow gold." The text tells us of those who dwelt among
plants and hedges, having rough, rustic, hedging and ditching work to
do. They may have desired to live in the city, amid its life, society,
and refinement, but they kept their appointed places, for they also
were doing the king's work. The place of our habitation is fixed, and
we are not to remove from it out of whim and caprice, but seek to serve
the Lord in it, by being a blessing to those among whom we reside.
These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they dwelt "with the
king" and although among hedges and plants, they dwelt with the king
there. No lawful place, or gracious occupation, however mean, can debar
us from communion with our divine Lord. In visiting hovels, swarming
lodging-houses, workhouses, or jails, we may go with the king. In all
works of faith we may count upon Jesus' fellowship. It is when we are
in his work that we may reckon upon his smile. Ye unknown workers who
are occupied for your Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest
of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have been found upon dunghills
ere now, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ill
weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell ye with the
King for his work, and when he writes his chronicles your name shall be
recorded.
EVENING:
"He humbled himself."
-- Philippians 2:8
Jesus is the great teacher of lowliness of heart. We need daily to
learn of him. See the Master taking a towel and washing his disciples'
feet! Follower of Christ, wilt thou not humble thyself? See him as the
Servant of servants, and surely thou canst not be proud! Is not this
sentence the compendium of his biography, "He humbled himself"? Was he
not on earth always stripping off first one robe of honour and then
another, till, naked, he was fastened to the cross, and there did he
not empty out his inmost self, pouring out his life-blood, giving up
for all of us, till they laid him penniless in a borrowed grave? How
low was our dear Redeemer brought! How then can we be proud? Stand at
the foot of the cross, and count the purple drops by which you have
been cleansed; see the thorn-crown; mark his scourged shoulders, still
gushing with encrimsoned rills; see hands and feet given up to the
rough iron, and his whole self to mockery and scorn; see the
bitterness, and the pangs, and the throes of inward grief, showing
themselves in his outward frame; hear the thrilling shriek, "My God, my
God, why hast thou forsaken me?" And if you do not lie prostrate on the
ground before that cross, you have never seen it: if you are not
humbled in the presence of Jesus, you do not know him. You were so lost
that nothing could save you but the sacrifice of God's only begotten.
Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you, bow yourself in lowliness
at his feet. A sense of Christ's amazing love to us has a greater
tendency to humble us than even a consciousness of our own guilt. May
the Lord bring us in contemplation to Calvary, then our position will
no longer be that of the pompous man of pride, but we shall take the
humble place of one who loves much because much has been forgiven him.
Pride cannot live beneath the cross. Let us sit there and learn our
lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice.
|-- HEARTLIGHT NEEDS YOUR HELP... -------------------------|
We truly need your help to keep the light shining! Please
take a moment to see how you can help us continue our
online ministry of 12 years:
|-- http://www.heartlight.org/support/ --------------------|
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
3-2-1-PENGUINS!, by Big Idea
A brand new video from the creators of VeggieTales! Penguins never
looked so cool!
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?153
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
======================================================================
