Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

April 15– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“[Lord,] be their shepherd; lift them up and carry them forever.” 

—Psalm 28:9

God’s people need lifting up. They are very heavy by nature. They have no wings, or, if they have, they are like an old dove that lies lazily among the flower pots. They need divine grace to make them mount up with wings of silver and gold. By nature, sparks fly upward— but not the sinful souls of men: they fall downward. O Lord, lift us up forever! David asked God to lift up his soul, and here he senses the needs of other men’s souls to be lifted up. When you ask this blessing for yourself, dear believer, don’t forget to seek it for others also.

God’s people need to be lifted up in several ways. They need to be elevated in character. Lift them up, O Lord; don’t let your people be like the world’s people! The world lies in the wicked one; lift them out of it! The world’s people are looking after silver and gold, seeking their own pleasures and the gratification of their own lusts; but, Lord, lift your people up above all this. Set their hearts upon the risen Lord and their heavenly heritage!

Believers need to be lifted up to prosper in battle. O Lord, if they fall in the conflict, be pleased to give them the victory. If the foot of the Enemy is upon their necks for a moment, help them to grasp the sword of the Spirit and eventually to win the battle. Lord, lift up their spirits; don’t let them sit in the dust, mourning their injuries forever. Don’t let the adversary harass them and make them anxious. If they have been persecuted, let them sing of the mercy of a delivering God.

And, finally, the saints of God need to be lifted up on the Last Day! Lift them up, O Lord, by taking them home. Lift their bodies from the tomb, and raise their souls to your eternal kingdom in glory. [M&E]