Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 1– Evening

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

“[Adam and Eve] heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” 

—Genesis 3:8

O, my soul, now that the evening has come, retire for a while and hear the voice of your God. He is always ready to speak with you when you are prepared to hear. If there is any slowness to commune with him, it is not on His part, but altogether yours. He is the One who stands at the door and knocks, and if His people will but open the door, he will rejoice to enter.

But in what state is the garden of my heart? O, that I may be well trimmed and watered, and is bringing forth fruit fit for Him? If not, He will have much to reprove. And yet, I still ask Him to come to me, for nothing can bring my heart into its right condition as the presence of the Sun of Righteousness who brings healing in His wings.

So, come, O Lord, my God! My soul invites You earnestly and waits for You eagerly. Come to me, O Jesus, the One I love, and plant fresh flowers in my garden—the kind I see blooming with perfection in Your matchless character! Come, O my Father, for you are the Great Gardener. Deal with me in Your tenderness and wisdom! Come, O Holy Spirit, and let your dew fall on my whole being, like the grass is moistened with the evening dew.

O that God would speak to me! Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening! O that He would walk with me. I am ready to give up my whole heart and mind to him as every other thought is hushed. I am only asking what He delights to give. I am sure that he will condescend to have fellowship with me, for he has given me his Holy Spirit to abide with me forever.

How sweet it is to stand in the cool twilight when every star seems like the eyes of heaven, and the cool wind is as the breath of celestial love. My Father, my elder Brother, my sweet Comforter, speak now in lovingkindness, for You have opened my ear and I am listening. [M&E]