Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 3– Morning

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

“The seven skinny cows ate up the seven fat cows.” 

—Genesis 41:4

Pharaoh’s dream has too often been my waking experience. My days of laziness have ruinously destroyed much of my seasons of hard work; my times of coldness have frozen all the glow out of my periods of fervency and enthusiasm; and my fits of worldliness have thrown me back from my advances in the spiritual life. I have to beware of lean prayers, lean praises, lean duties, and lean experiences, for these will eat up the “fat cows” of my comfort and peace. If I draw no fresh supplies from heaven’s grace, the old corn in my granary is soon consumed by the famine in my soul. The worms of indifference, worldliness, and self-indulgence can too quickly leave my heart torn and desolate, robbing me of all my former fruitfulness in grace.

How anxious I should be to avoid the lean days and the skinny hours. If I want my days to remain like the “fat cows,” then I must feed them in the right meadow, spending them with the Lord in his service, in his company, in his fear, and in his way. Why shouldn’t every year be richer than the past in love, usefulness, and joy? I am getting closer to the Heavenly hills; I have had more experience with my Lord, and should be more like him.

O Lord, keep me far from the curse of a skinny soul! Don’t let me have to cry out in my leanness, but may I be well-fed and nourished in your house that I may praise your name. [M&E]