Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

August 1– Morning

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

“Let me go now to the field and glean ears of corn.” 

—Ruth 2:2

Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean today in the wide, open field of God’s promise. Here you will find something to meet your needs exactly. Take this one: “He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.” Doesn’t that meet your need today? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak– a bruised reed, out of which no music can come, weaker than weakness itself– a reed, and that reed bruised, yet he will not break you, but, on the contrary, will restore and strengthen you.

You are like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth can come from you, but he will not quench you. He will blow with his sweet breath of mercy until he fans you to a flame.

Or try this promise, “Come unto me all you that work under a heavy burden, and I will give you rest.” What soft words these are! Your heart is tender, and the Master knows it, so he speaks ever so gently to you. Won’t you obey him, and come to him even now?

Or this one, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Or this, “Come, and let the one who is thirsty come; whosoever will, come; let him take the water of life freely.”

Our Master’s field is very rich; behold the handfuls. See! There they lie before you, poor timid believer! Gather them up, and make them your own, for Jesus wants you to take them. Don’t be afraid; only believe! Grasp these sweet promises; thresh them out by meditation, and feed on them with joy. [M&E]