Charles Haddon Spurgeon's Evening Devotional For Sunday July 25, 2021 |
Evening Time: 1:50 PM PST
"In their affliction they will seek Me early." --Hosea 5:15
Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses
to fetch home His wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers
back to the fold. There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed; they
must be brought down from their great strength, and their stomachs must be
lowered, and then they will submit to the tamer's hand; and often have we seen
the Christian rendered obedient to the Lord's will by straitness of bread and
hard labour. When rich and increased in goods many professors carry their heads
much too loftily, and speak exceeding boastfully. Like David, they flatter
themselves, "My mountain standeth fast; I shall never be moved." When the
Christian groweth wealthy, is in good repute, hath good health, and a happy
family, he too often admits Mr. Carnal Security to feast at his table, and then
if he be a true child of God there is a rod preparing for him. Wait awhile, and
it may be you will see his substance melt away as a dream. There goes a portion
of his estate--how soon the acres change hands. That debt, that dishonoured
bill--how fast his losses roll in, where will they end? It is a blessed sign of
divine life if when these embarrassments occur one after another he begins to be
distressed about his backslidings, and betakes himself to his God. Blessed are
the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of salvation! Losses in business
are often sanctified to our soul's enriching. If the chosen soul will not come
to the Lord full-handed, it shall come empty. If God, in His grace, findeth no
other means of making us honour Him among men, He will cast us into the deep; if
we fail to honour Him on the pinnacle of riches, He will bring us into the
valley of poverty. Yet faint not, heir of sorrow, when thou art thus rebuked,
rather recognize the loving hand which chastens, and say, "I will arise, and go
unto my Father."
[ Morning | Evening
| Yesterday
| Today
| Tomorrow | Home | Contact Us ]
|
Mountain Pro Devoteit v 1.0 Copyright © 2001 Tony Warren All rights reserved.
| |