Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 2– Morning

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

“Our hearts will rejoice in [God].” 

—Psalm 31:21

Christians can rejoice at all times– even in the deepest distress. Although trouble may surround them, they can still sing– and, like many birds, they sing best in their cages. The waves may roll over them, but their souls soon rise to the surface where they see the light of God’s countenance. They have a buoyancy about them which keeps their head always above the water. Even in the storm they can sing, “God is with me still.”

Jesus himself is our constant pledge of God’s presence through thick and thin, and we give glory to his name! The heat of trouble can be scorching at times, but the presence of the Son of God in the fiery furnace fills our hearts with joy. We may be sick or even dying with the chilly waters rising up to our necks, but Jesus puts his arms around us and says, “Don’t be afraid, dear loved one; to die is to be blessed; the waters of death have their ultimate source in heaven; they are not bitter, but rather, they are sweet for they flow from the throne of God.”

And when we approach the borders of the infinite unknown– the realm of shadows– Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Because of this, the believer is not afraid to die but desires to go and be with the Lord. He already knows Jesus as the morning star, and now he longs to gaze upon him as the sun in his full strength. Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire. He is, at the same time, the “The glory of our brightest days, and the comfort of our nights.” [M&E]