Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

May 19– Morning

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

“I have seen servants riding on horses and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” 

—Ecclesiastes 10:7

 

New upstarts frequently try to take the highest places, while the truly great pine in obscurity. This is a riddle in providence whose solution will one day cheer the hearts of the upright.

This principle was certainly true of Jesus’ life on earth. Even though he was the Prince of the kings of the earth, yet he walked the footpath of weariness and service as the Servant of servants. Why should it surprise his followers, then, who are princes by his blood, that they should also be treated as inferior and contemptible persons? The world is upside down, and, therefore, the first are last and the last first.

Just look at the servile sons of Satan and how they attempt to wield their power in the earth! What a high horse they ride! How they blow their own horn! David wanders on the mountains, while Saul sits on the throne; Elijah complains in the cave, while Jezebel is boasting in the palace. And yet, who would want to trade places with these proud rebels? And who, on the other hand, would not envy the despised saints?

When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise, and the highest sink. Patience, then, believer! Eternity will right the wrongs of time.

Let us not disturb this divine arrangement but ask for grace that we may bring our passions into subjection to Christ. We were not created to allow our passions to rule over us but, rather, that we may reign over them through Christ to the glory of God. [M&E]