Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 16– Evening

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

“You will arise [O God] and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her has come.” 

—Psalm 102:13

A selfish man in trouble is exceedingly hard to comfort because the springs of his comfort lie entirely within himself; so, when he is sad, all his springs are dry. But a large-hearted man, full of Christian generosity, has other springs from which to supply himself with comfort besides those which lie within. He can go, first of all, to his God and there find abundant help. He can discover sources of consolation in things God is doing in the world at large or in his own country and, above all, in the church.

David in this Psalm was exceedingly sorrowful; he wrote, “I am like an owl in the desert– like a sparrow alone on the rooftop.” The only way he could comfort himself was by recalling to his mind and heart that fact that God would arise and have mercy upon Zion, the City of God: though he was sad, yet Zion would prosper; however low his own estate, yet Zion would arise.

Dear Christian! Learn to comfort yourself in God’s gracious dealing towards the church. Shouldn’t that which is dear to your Master be dear above all to you, too? Even if your pathway is dark, what can gladden your heart more than the triumphs of his cross and the spread of his truth? Our own, personal troubles are forgotten while we look at what God has done and is doing for Zion. And, O, what glorious things he will yet do for his church!

Try this, O believer, whenever you are sad of heart and heavy in spirit: forget yourself and your little concerns and seek the welfare and prosperity of Zion. When thou bend your knee in prayer to God, don’t limit your petition to the narrow circle of your own life, as needy as it is, but send out your longing prayers for the church’s prosperity— both local and worldwide. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” and your own soul will be refreshed. [M&E]