Evening and Morning
By Charles Haddon Spurgeon
April 24
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 fulfillment 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!