Evening and Morning
By Charles Haddon Spurgeon
November 28
Morning
"For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of
the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in
the truth."—3 John 3.
The truth
was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in the truth. If the first had not been the
case, the second could never have occurred; and if the second could not be said
of him the first would have been a mere pretence.
Truth must enter into the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no
value. Doctrines held as a matter of creed are like bread in the hand, which
ministers no nourishment to the frame; but doctrine accepted by the heart, is
as food digested, which, by assimilation, sustains and builds up the body. In
us truth must be a living force, an active energy, an indwelling reality, a
part of the woof and warp of our being. If it be in
us, we cannot henceforth part with it. A man may lose his garments or his
limbs, but his inward parts are vital, and cannot be torn away without absolute
loss of life. A Christian can die, but he cannot deny the truth. Now it is a rule
of nature that the inward affects the outward, as light shines from the centre of the lantern through the glass: when, therefore,
the truth is kindled within, its brightness soon beams forth in the outward
life and conversation. It is said that the food of certain worms colours the cocoons of silk which they spin: and just so
the nutriment upon which a man's inward nature lives gives a tinge to every
word and deed proceeding from him. To walk in the truth, imports a life of
integrity, holiness, faithfulness, and simplicity—the natural product of
those principles of truth which the gospel teaches, and which the Spirit of God
enables us to receive. We may judge of the secrets of the soul by their
manifestation in the man's conversation. Be it ours to-day, O gracious Spirit,
to be ruled and governed by Thy divine authority, so that nothing false or
sinful may reign in our hearts, lest it extend its malignant influence to our
daily walk among men.
Evening
"Seeking the wealth of his people."—Esther
10:3.
Mordecai
was a true patriot, and therefore, being exalted to the highest position under Ahasuerus, he used his eminence to promote the prosperity
of Israel. In this he was a type of Jesus, who, upon His throne of glory, seeks
not His own, but spends His power for His people. It were
well if every Christian would be a Mordecai to the church, striving according
to his ability for its prosperity. Some are placed in stations of affluence and
influence, let them honour their Lord in the high
places of the earth, and testify for Jesus before great men. Others have what
is far better, namely, close fellowship with the King of kings, let them be
sure to plead daily for the weak of the Lord's people, the doubting, the
tempted, and the comfortless. It will redound to their honour
if they make much intercession for those who are in darkness and dare not draw
nigh unto the mercy seat. Instructed believers may serve their Master greatly
if they lay out their talents for the general good, and impart their wealth of
heavenly learning to others, by teaching them the things of God. The very least
in our Israel may at least seek the welfare of his people; and his
desire, if he can give no more, shall be acceptable. It is at once the most Christlike and the most happy
course for a believer to cease from living to himself. He who blesses others
cannot fail to be blessed himself. On the other hand, to seek our own personal
greatness is a wicked and unhappy plan of life, its way will be grievous and
its end will be fatal.
Here is
the place to ask thee, my friend, whether thou art to the best of thy power
seeking the wealth of the church in thy neighbourhood? I trust thou art not
doing it mischief by bitterness and scandal, nor weakening it by thy neglect.
Friend, unite with the Lord's poor, bear their cross, do them all the good thou
canst, and thou shalt not miss thy reward.