Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

December 31– Evening

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

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”

—Jeremiah 8:20

Dear reader, is this your sad predicament? You have been warned of the coming judgment, bidden to escape for your life, and yet at this moment you are not saved? You know the way of salvation; you read it in the Bible; you hear it from the pulpit; it is explained to you by friends; and yet you neglect it, and, therefore, you are not saved. Hopeful seasons have come and gone; your summer and your harvest have past, yet you are not saved.

Let me ask you: Will you ever be saved? Is there any likelihood of it? Already the most promising seasons have left you unsaved; will other occasions alter your condition? The means of God’s grace has been administered to you with utmost affection but have failed; what more can be done for you? Isn’t it probable that you will never be saved but will remain as you are until death forever bars the door of hope?

Do you recoil from that suggestion? You must admit that it certainly is reasonable. If one doesn’t bathe, he will probably remain filthy. A convenient time to be saved has not yet come, so why do you think it ever will? It is logical to conclude that such a time will not come until you are in hell. Think of what hell is and of the dreaded probability that you will soon be cast into it! What an awful picture. Write about it with tears and blood; talk about it with groans and gnashing of teeth.

Is it too late to say, “Be wise!”? Seize the moment before another year begins. Believe in Jesus to save you. Consecrate these last moments of the year in private thought. If you receive a deep repentance and a humble faith in Jesus, it will be well with you. See to it that this year does not expire while you still have an unforgiven and joyless spirit. Now, now, NOW believe, and live. [M&E]