Morning and Evening

Charles H. Spurgeon

May 12, 2010

Morning Reading

And will manifest myself to him.--John 14:21

The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of Himself to His people. Even
if Scripture did not declare this, there are many of the children of
God who could testify the truth of it from their own experience. They
have had manifestations of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in a
peculiar manner, such as no mere reading or hearing could afford. In
the biographies of eminent saints, you will find many instances
recorded in which Jesus has been pleased, in a very special manner to
speak to their souls, and to unfold the wonders of His person; yea, so
have their souls been steeped in happiness that they have thought
themselves to be in heaven, whereas they were not there, though they
were well nigh on the threshold of it--for when Jesus manifests Himself
to His people, it is heaven on earth; it is paradise in embryo; it is
bliss begun. Especial manifestations of Christ exercise a holy
influence on the believer's heart. One effect will be humility. If a
man says, "I have had such-and-such spiritual communications, I am a
great man," he has never had any communion with Jesus at all; for "God
hath respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off." He
does not need to come near them to know them, and will never give them
any visits of love. Another effect will be happiness; for in God's
presence there are pleasures for evermore. Holiness will be sure to
follow. A man who has no holiness has never had this manifestation.
Some men profess a great deal; but we must not believe any one unless
we see that his deeds answer to what he says. "Be not deceived; God is
not mocked." He will not bestow His favours upon the wicked: for while
He will not cast away a perfect man, neither will He respect an evil
doer. Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus--humility,
happiness, and holiness. May God give them to thee, Christian!

Evening Reading

Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great
nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely
bring thee up again.--Genesis 46:3,4

Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his
father's sojourning, and dwelling among heathen strangers. It was a new
scene, and likely to be a trying one: who shall venture among couriers
of a foreign monarch without anxiety? Yet the way was evidently
appointed for him, and therefore he resolved to go. This is frequently
the position of believers now--they are called to perils and
temptations altogether untried: at such seasons let them imitate
Jacob's example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God, and seeking
His direction; let them not take a step until they have waited upon the
Lord for His blessing: then they will have Jacob's companion to be
their friend and helper. How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is
with us in all our ways, and condescends to go down into our
humiliations and banishments with us! Even beyond the ocean our
Father's love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to
go where Jehovah promises His presence; even the valley of deathshade
grows bright with the radiance of this assurance. Marching onwards with
faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob's promise. They shall be
brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the
chambers of death. Jacob's seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so
shall all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulation of life,
and the terror of death. Let us exercise Jacob's confidence. "Fear
not," is the Lord's command and His divine encouragement to those who
at His bidding are launching upon new seas; the divine presence and
preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear. Without our God we
should fear to move; but when He bids us to, it would be dangerous to
tarry. Reader, go forward, and fear not.