Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–
March 15– Evening
by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff
“[Hezekiah] performed his service in the house of God with all his heart and prospered.”
—2 Chronicles 31:21
This is no unusual occurrence; in fact, it is the general rule of the moral universe: those who do their work with all their hearts prosper, while those who work half-heartedly are almost certain to fail. God does not give harvests to idle men except harvests of thistles; nor is he pleased to send wealth to those who will not dig in the field to find its hidden treasure. It is universally confessed in business that if a man would prosper, he must be diligent.
This same principle holds true in matters of faith and Christian living. If you want to prosper in your work for Jesus, let it be done with all your heart. Put as much force, energy, heartiness, and earnestness into walking with God as you ever put into business, for it deserves far more. The Holy Spirit helps our weaknesses, but he does not encourage our idleness. He loves active believers.
Who are the most useful people in the Christian church? Those who take on responsibilities for God with all their hearts. Who are the most successful Sunday-school teachers? The most talented? No; the most zealous; the men whose hearts are on fire– those who see their Lord riding forth prosperously in the majesty of his salvation. Whole-heartedness shows itself in perseverance; there may be failure at first, but the earnest worker will say, “It is the Lord’s work, and it must be done; my Lord has called me do it, and, in his strength, I will accomplish it.”
Christian, are you serving your Master with all your heart? Remember the earnestness of Jesus! What an example of heart-work! He could say, “The zeal of [God’s] house has eaten me up.” When he sweat great drops of blood, it was not a light burden to carry. When he poured out his heart to bring salvation to his people, it was no half-hearted effort. How can Jesus be red hot with intensity while we are lukewarm? [M&E]
