Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

 March 21– Evening

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

“[Job,] are you able to bind [the cluster of stars called] the Pleiades or loosen the belt of Orion.” 

—Job 38:31

When we are inclined to boast in our abilities, we should observe the grandeur of nature and discover how puny we are. We cannot move the smallest twinkling star or quench so much as one of the sun’s rays in the morning. When the constellation of the Pleiades shines forth in the spring with youthful joy, we cannot restrain its song. When Orion reigns high above in the cold winter sky, we cannot relax his icy belt. The seasons revolve according to divine appointment, and the entire human race can do nothing about it.

In the spiritual realm, as in the natural world, man’s power is limited. When the Holy Spirit works his delights in the soul, no one can interfere. All the cleverness and malice of men are unable to stand against the warm, life-enabling power of the Comforter. His most hardened enemies cannot resist his good work any more than they can push back the spring when the Pleiades rule the hour. God wills it, and so it must be.

On the other hand, if the Lord in sovereignty, or in justice, binds up a man so that his soul is in bondage, who can possibly set him free? God alone can remove the winter of spiritual death. He alone loosens the belt of Orion, and no one else can do it. What a blessing it is that he can do it. O that he would perform that wonder tonight in me.

Lord, end my winter, and let my spring begin. I cannot with all my longings raise my soul out of her death and dullness, but all things are possible with you. I need heavenly influences, the brilliant rays of your love, the beams of your grace, the light of your countenance. These are the Pleiades to me. I suffer much from sin and temptation; these are the signs of my winter, my terrible Orion. Lord, work wonders in me and for me. Amen. [M&E]