Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

October 21– Evening

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

“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?”

—Luke 24:38

Why do we sometimes doubt and think that the concerns of our lives are hidden from the Lord or that he doesn’t care for me individually? The Lord cares for all things. Even the lowliest of creatures share in his meticulous care of the universe. But this is especially true of his saints. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him.” “Precious is their blood in his sight.” “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” Although Jesus is the Savior of all men, he is especially the Savior of those who believe. This should cheer and comfort you. You are his special care, his royal treasure, the apple of his eye, his vineyard over which he watches day and night. “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Let the thought of his special love to you be a spiritual painkiller, a sedative to your despair. God says, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you,” and he says that as much to you as to any saint of old. “Fear not, I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward.” We lose much consolation by the habit of reading his promises for the whole church instead of taking them directly home to ourselves.

Believer, grasp the divine word with a personal, appropriating faith. Hear Jesus say to you, “I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail.” Envision him walking on the waters of your trouble, for he is there saying, “Fear not, it’s me; don’t be afraid.” Oh, those sweet words of Christ! May the Holy Spirit make you feel them as spoken directly to you. Forget about others for a moment; accept the voice of Jesus as addressing you personally, and say, “Jesus is whispering his consolation to me; I cannot refuse it; I will sit under his shadow with great delight.” [M&E]