Evening and Morning
By Charles Haddon Spurgeon
June 17
Morning
"Help, Lord."—Psalm 12:1.
The prayer itself is remarkable, for it is short, but seasonable,
sententious, and suggestive. David mourned the fewness of faithful
men, and therefore lifted up his heart in supplication—when the creature
failed, he flew to the Creator. He evidently felt his own weakness, or he would
not have cried for help; but at the same time he intended honestly to exert himself for the cause of truth, for the word
"help" is inapplicable where we ourselves do nothing. There is much
of directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance
in this petition of two words; much more, indeed, than
in the long rambling outpourings of certain professors. The Psalmist runs straight-forward to his God, with a well-considered prayer;
he knows what he is seeking, and where to seek it. Lord, teach us to pray in
the same blessed manner.
The occasions for the use
of this prayer are frequent. In providential afflictions how suitable it is for
tried believers who find all helpers failing them. Students, in doctrinal
difficulties, may often obtain aid by lifting up this cry of "Help,
Lord," to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher. Spiritual warriors in inward
conflicts may send to the throne for reinforcements, and this will be a
model for their request. Workers in heavenly labour
may thus obtain grace in time of need. Seeking sinners, in doubts and
alarms, may offer up the same weighty supplication; in fact, in all these
cases, times, and places, this will serve the turn of needy souls. "Help,
Lord," will suit us living and dying, suffering or labouring,
rejoicing or sorrowing. In Him our help is found, let us not be slack to cry to
Him.
The answer to the prayer is
certain, if
it be sincerely offered through Jesus. The Lord's
character assures us that He will not leave His people; His relationship as
Father and Husband guarantee us His aid; His gift of Jesus is a pledge of every
good thing; and His sure promise stands, "Fear not, I WILL HELP
THEE."
Evening
"Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it."—Numbers 21:17.
Famous was the well of Beer
in the wilderness, because it was the subject of a promise: "That
is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather
the people together, and I will give them water." The people needed water,
and it was promised by their gracious God. We need
fresh supplies of heavenly grace, and in the covenant the Lord has pledged
Himself to give all we require. The well next became the cause of a song.
Before the water gushed forth, cheerful faith prompted the people to sing; and
as they saw the crystal fount bubbling up, the music grew yet more joyous. In
like manner, we who believe the promise of God should rejoice in the prospect
of divine revivals in our souls, and as we experience them our holy joy should
overflow. Are we thirsting? Let us not murmur, but sing. Spiritual thirst is
bitter to bear, but we need not bear it—the promise indicates a well; let
us be of good heart, and look for it. Moreover, the well was the centre of prayer. "Spring up, O well." What
God has engaged to give, we must enquire after, or we manifest that we have
neither desire nor faith. This evening let us ask that the Scripture we have
read, and our devotional exercises, may not be an empty formality, but a
channel of grace to our souls. O that God the Holy Spirit would work in us with
all His mighty power, filling us with all the fulness
of God. Lastly, the well was the object of effort. "The nobles of
the people digged it with their staves." The
Lord would have us active in obtaining grace. Our staves are ill adapted for
digging in the sand, but we must use them to the utmost of our ability. Prayer
must not be neglected; the assembling of ourselves
together must not be forsaken; ordinances must not be slighted. The Lord will
give us His peace most plenteously, but not in a way of idleness. Let us, then,
bestir ourselves to seek Him in whom are all our fresh
springs.