Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–
March 31– Evening
by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff
“When her sons were put to death, Rizpah spread sackcloth upon the rock and did not allow the birds or the wild animals to touch it.”
—2 Samuel 21:10
If the love of a woman to her slain sons could cause her to engage in such a mournful vigil, will we grow weary of considering the sufferings of our blessed Lord? She drove away the birds of prey, so will we not chase from our meditations those worldly and sinful thoughts which defile our minds and distract us from the sacred themes we ought to be pondering? Fly away, you evil birds! Leave the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus alone!
Rizpah bore the heat of summer and the night’s dew and rain, unsheltered and alone. She had too much on her heart to think about sleeping. She loved her children greatly. If she can endure such trouble, why are we so prone to collapse at the first little inconvenience or trial? Are we such cowards that we cannot bear to suffer with our Lord? She chased away even the wild animals— something few women would have had the courage to do. Will we, then, not engage every enemy for Jesus’ sake?
Her sons were killed by the hands of others as she wept and watched. Shouldn’t we watch with tears as we look upon our crucified Lord who is put to death for our sins? Our obligations are boundless; our love should be fervent; our repentance should be thorough. To watch with Jesus should be our business, to protect his honor our occupation, to remain by his cross our consolation.
The corpses of her sons might well have made her afraid, especially by night, but, to her, their death was dear. Certainly, as we sit at the foot of the cross and gaze upon our Lord, there is nothing revolting but everything attractive. Never was living beauty so enchanting as a dying Savior.
Jesus, we will watch with you for a while this evening. Graciously unveil yourself to us. If you do, then we will no longer sit in sackcloth and in ashes but will find ourselves a King’s palace. [M&E]
