Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

June 13– Evening

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

“Remove far from me vanity and lies.” 

—Proverbs 30:8

“O my God, don’t be far from me.” 

—Psalm 38:21

In these verses, we have two great lessons: what to condemn and what to implore. The happiest state of a Christian is the holiest state. As there is the most heat nearest to the sun, so there is the most happiness nearest to Christ. No Christian enjoys comfort when his eyes are fixed on vanity; he finds no satisfaction unless his soul is alive in the ways of God.

The world may acquire happiness elsewhere, but we cannot. I do not blame ungodly men for rushing to their pleasures, but why should I? Let them have their fill. That is all they have to enjoy. A converted wife who despaired of her unsaved husband was always very kind to him, for she said, “I fear that this is the only world in which he will be happy, and, therefore, I have made up my mind to make him as happy as I can in it.” Christians must seek their delights in a higher sphere than the insipid frivolities and sinful enjoyments of this world. Vain pursuits are dangerous to renewed souls. No Christian is safe when his soul is slothful and his God is far from him. Every Christian is always safe as to the great matter of his standing in Christ but not safe in regard to his experience in holiness and communion with Jesus in this life.

Satan does not often attack a Christian who is living near to God. It is when the Christian departs from his God, becomes spiritually starved, and endeavors to feed on vanities that the devil takes advantage. Satan may stand toe to toe with the child of God who is active in his Master’s service, but the battle is generally short. But when a child of God deliberately travels into the Valley of Humiliation, every time he takes a step, he invites the Destroyer to assail him. O for grace to walk humbly with our God! [M&E]