Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

December 29– Morning

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

“To this point the Lord has helped us.” 

—I Samuel 7:12

The words “To this point” serve like a hand pointing to the past. Whether it has been twenty years or seventy, “to this point” the Lord has been YOUR help as well. Through poverty or wealth, sickness or health; at home or abroad; on land or sea; in honor or dishonor; in perplexity or joy; in trial or triumph; “to this point” the Lord has helped us!

Have you ever looked down a long avenue of trees as if gazing through the corridor of a long “leafy temple” with its branching pillars and arches of leaves?  In the same way, look down the long aisles of your years at the branches of mercy overhead and the strong pillars of God’s loving-kindness and faithfulness. Are there no birds in those branches? Surely there must be many, all singing of mercy received “to this point.”

But these words also look forward. When we say “to this point” we aren’t yet at the end; there is still a distance to be traveled. More trials, joys, temptations, triumphs, prayers, work, battles, and victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, and death. Is it over now? No! Even then there is more! There is our awakening in Jesus’ likeness– thrones, music, songs, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, and the glory of God.

Be filled with good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise your monument to God who has helped you “to this point” and who will help you for the rest of the journey. [M&E]