Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 25– Evening

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

“In their affliction they will seek me earnestly.'”

—Hosea 5:15

Losses and adversities are frequently the means the great Shepherd uses to bring home his wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers back to the fold. It is impossible to make lions tame if they are too well fed; they must be brought down from their great strength; their stomachs need to be emptied, and then they will submit to the tamer’s hand.

Often the Christian becomes obedient to the Lord’s will by the discipline of minimal bread and hard labor. When they are rich and have plenty, many professing believers carry themselves too proudly and speak boastfully. Like David, they flatter themselves, “My mountain will stand forever; I will never be moved.” When the Christian grows wealthy, has a good reputation, is in good health, and has a happy family, he too often allows Mr. Carnal Security to eat at his table. And then, if he is a true child of God, a rod of discipline comes to him. In a short amount of time, you may see his wealth melt away as a dream. There goes a portion of his estate. The debts begin to pile up.

It is a blessed sign of divine life when these distresses cause that person to take himself to God. Blessed are the waves that wash the sailor upon the rock of salvation! Losses in business often result in the sanctification and enrichment of the soul. If God’s chosen ones won’t come to Him while their hands are full, He will have them come with their hands empty. If God, in his grace, finds no other means of making us honor Him among men, he will cast us into the deep. If we fail to honor him on the pinnacle of riches, he will bring us into the valley of poverty. But don’t give up when you are rebuked this way; instead, recognize the loving hand which disciplines you, and say, “I will arise, and go unto my Father.” [M&E]