Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

May 12– Evening

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

“Do not fear going down into Egypt, for there I will make you a great nation. I will go down with you and surely bring you up again.” 

—Genesis 46:3,4

Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land to which his father had travelled and settled only to live among heathen strangers. It was a different scene and likely to be a trying one. Who can engage with agents of a foreign king without anxiety? Yet the way was clearly appointed for him, and, therefore, he resolved to go.

This is frequently the position of believers now. They are called to unknown dangers and temptations. At such times, let them imitate Jacob’s example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God and seeking his direction.  Let them not take a step until they have waited upon the Lord for his blessing. If they do, then then they will have Jacob’s companion to be their friend and helper.

How joyfully satisfying it is to feel assured that the Lord is with us in all our ways and condescends to go down into our humiliations and evictions with us! Even beyond the ocean our Father’s love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to go where Jehovah promises his presence. Even the valley of the shadow of death grows bright with the radiance of this assurance.

Marching onward with faith in their God, believers have Jacob’s promise. They will be brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the chambers of death. Jacob’s seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so will all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulation of life and the terror of death.

Let us have Jacob’s confidence. “Do not fear,” is the Lord’s command and his divine encouragement to those who, at his command, are launching upon new seas. God’s presence and preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear. The only fear we should have is moving without our God. But when he commands us to move, it would be dangerous to stand still. Reader, go forward, and do not fear. [M&E]