Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

February 25– Morning

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

“The wrath to come.” 

—Matthew 3:7

 

It is a pleasant thing to pass through the countryside after a storm, smelling the freshness of the herbs freshened by the fallen rain and noting the droplets that glisten like pure diamonds in the sunlight.  That picture describes well the position of a Christian. He is going through a land where the storm has already been spent upon his Savior’s head, leaving behind drops of sorrow that have fallen from clouds of mercy.

When the storm first approaches, however, it is a terrible sight. You can see the warning signs everywhere—the birds of heaven droop their wings; the cattle lay their heads low in terror; the face of the sky grows black, and the sun hides itself. It is as if the very heavens are angry and frowning! It is especially terrible to await the dreadful advance of a tropical storm or hurricane blowing with fury, tearing up trees by their roots, forcing rocks from their pedestals, and hurling down buildings and homes in its path.  And yet, sinner, this is your present position before God. No hot drops have fallen yet, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you yet, but God’s storm is loading its fearsome artillery. So far the floods are dammed up by mercy, but the flood-gates will soon be opened wide. The storm is coming! And how awful will that moment be when God, robed in vengeance, will march forward in determined fury!

Where, where, where, O sinner, will you hide then? Where will you run? O that the hand of mercy may now lead you to Christ! In him alone will you find adequate shelter. You know that you need him, so trust him now, and the coming fury will pass you by. [M&E]