Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

November 17– Evening

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

“The one who splits logs put himself in danger.”

—Ecclesiastes 10:9

Those who oppress the poor and needy are like those who split logs. They should think more about what they are doing, because they are engaged in a dangerous business. The splinter from a tree has often killed the lumberjack. Jesus himself is persecuted by the injury inflicted on his saints, and he is mighty to avenge the ones he loves. Success in treading down the poor and needy is a thing to be feared; even if persecutors escape the danger here, there will face a much great danger hereafter.

To split wood is a common every-day business, and yet it has its dangers; in same way, dear reader, there are dangers connected with your calling and daily life to which you would do well pay attention. I’m not referring to hazards by flood and fire, or by disease and sudden death, but to danger of a spiritual sort.

Your occupation may be as humble as log splitting, and yet the devil can tempt you in it. You may be a housekeeper, a farm laborer, or a mechanic, and you may be greatly screened from temptations to the grosser vices, and yet some secret sin may do you great damage. Those who dwell at home, and don’t get out much to mingle with the world, may still be endangered by their very seclusion. Even those who think they are safe are not. anger, envy, and malice can present themselves in houses far outside of town.  Even in speaking a few words to an employee we may sin. A small purchase at the store may be the first link in a chain of temptations. The mere looking out of a window may be the beginning of evil.

O Lord, how exposed we are! How can we be kept secure?  To keep ourselves is work too hard for us: only you yourself are able to preserve us in such a world of evils. Spread Your wings over us, and we, like little chicks, will cower down beneath You, and know that we are safe! [M&E]