Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

June 28– Evening

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

“But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods (i.e., the rods of Pharaoh’s magicians).” 

—Exodus 7:12

This incident is an instructive example of the sure victory God works out over all opposition. Whenever a divine truth is cast into the heart, the devil may fashion a counterfeit and produce swarms of opposing serpents. But be sure that God is at work! He swallows up all His foes. If God’s grace takes possession of a man, the world’s magicians may throw down all their rods. And every rod may be as cunning and poisonous as a snake. But Aaron’s rod will swallow up their rods.

The sweet attractions of the cross will win men’s hearts. It will change the one who lives only for this deceitful earth, lifting his eyes to the upper spheres and causing him to fly to heavenly heights. When grace has won the day the one who had focused on this world will focus on the world to come.

The one who believes in Jesus Christ must endure multitudes of enemies, and these enemies must be met with faith! The devil throws our formers sins down before us, and they turn into serpents. How many there are! Ah, but the cross of Jesus destroys them all. Faith in Christ makes short work of all our sins. The devil then launches the serpents of worldly trials, temptations, and unbelief. But faith in Jesus is more than a match for them, and He overcomes them all.

We find the same principle at work in the faithful service of God! With enthusiastic love for Jesus difficulties are surmounted, sacrifices become pleasures, sufferings are honors. But there are many who profess faith in Christ who do not have it. And here is the test; examine yourself, dear reader, on this point. Aaron’s rod proved its heaven-given power by consuming the snakes of opposition. Does your Christianity do that? If Christ is anything, he must be everything. Do not rest until love and faith in Jesus is the master over the passions of your soul! [M&E]