Morning and Evening

Charles H. Spurgeon

May 11, 2010

Morning Reading

I am with you alway.--Matthew 28:20

It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us.
It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of
life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten,
decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon Him who abides for ever
faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a
deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid
descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My
soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet;
store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in
Christ; set all thine affections on His person, all thy hope in His
merit, all thy trust in His efficacious blood, all thy joy in His
presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction.
Remember that all the flowers in the world's garden fade by turns, and
the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth.
Death's black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet
to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll
between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to Him who will
never leave thee; trust thyself with Him who will go with thee through
the black and surging current of death's stream, and who will land thee
safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with Him in heavenly
places for ever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to
the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns
with Him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee,
and who will never let thee leave Him, even "Jesus Christ, the same
yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." "Lo, I am with you alway," is
enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.

Evening Reading

Only be thou strong and very courageous.--Joshua 1:7

Our God's tender love for His servants makes Him concerned for the
state of their inward feelings. He desires them to be of good courage.
Some esteem it a small thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and
fears, but God thinks not so. From this text it is plain that our
Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without
carefulness, without doubt, without cowardice. Our Master does not
think so lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are desponding we
are subject to a grievous malady, not to be trifled with, but to be
carried at once to the beloved Physician. Our Lord loveth not to see
our countenance sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus that no one should come
into the king's court dressed in mourning: this is not the law of the
King of kings, for we may come mourning as we are; but still He would
have us put off the spirit of heaviness, and put on the garment of
praise, for there is much reason to rejoice. The Christian man ought to
be of a courageous spirit, in order that he may glorify the Lord by
enduring trials in an heroic manner. If he be fearful and fainthearted,
it will dishonour his God. Besides, what a bad example it is. This
disease of doubtfulness and discouragement is an epidemic which soon
spreads amongst the Lord's flock. One downcast believer makes twenty
souls sad. Moreover, unless your courage is kept up Satan will be too
much for you. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Saviour, the joy of
the Lord shall be your strength, and no fiend of hell shall make
headway against you: but cowardice throws down the banner. Moreover,
labour is light to a man of cheerful spirit; and success waits upon
cheerfulness. The man who toils, rejoicing in his God, believing with
all his heart, has success guaranteed. He who sows in hope shall reap
in joy; therefore, dear reader, "be thou strong, and very courageous."