Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

June 7– Evening

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

[The Lord said to the Church in Laodicea,] “Be zealous.”

—Revelation 3:19

If you want to see souls converted, if you would hear the cry that “the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord,” if you would place crowns upon the head of the Savior and see his throne lifted high, then be filled with a heart of zeal. The world’s conversion must be by the zeal of the church. Grace always leads to action. Prudence, knowledge, patience, and courage will follow in their place, but zeal must lead the pack. It is not the extent of your knowledge, though that is useful; it is not the extent of your talent, though that is not to be despised; it is your zeal that will do great exploits.

Heartfelt zeal is the fruit of the Holy Spirit; it draws its vital force from his work in the soul. If our inner life dwindles, if our heart beats slowly before God, we will not know this zeal. But when zeal comes to us, we cannot help but feel a loving anxiety to see the kingdom of Christ come and his will be done on earth even as it is in heaven.

But how do we nourish Christian zeal? First, look back at the grave from which you have been resurrected, and you will find a compelling reason to spend and be spent for God. Then, look forward to the eternal future. With tearful eyes look down to the flames of hell, and you will find that you cannot slumber. Gaze upon the glories of heaven, and you will be stirred to action. You will sense that time is short compared with the work to be done, and, therefore, you will devote all you have to the Lord’s cause. And above all, look to Christ. He was clothed with zeal. He traveled on the chariot-wheels of duty! He knew no loitering by the way. Let us prove that we are his disciples by manifesting the same spirit of zeal. [M&E]