Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

October 26– Evening

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

“The rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; the rivers return to the place from which they came.”

—Ecclesiastes 1:7

Everything on earth is on the move; time knows nothing of rest. The solid earth is a rolling ball, and the great sun itself a star obediently fulfilling its role among the heavenly luminaries. Tides move the sea; winds stir the ocean; friction wears the rock; change and death rule everywhere. The sea not only receives and stores the waters which flow into it, but it gives up its contents freely through evaporation.

If you are a friend of the unchanging Jesus, then you know what joy it is to reflect upon your changeless heritage. Your sea of bliss will always be full since God himself will pour eternal rivers of pleasure into it. We seek a city which remains forever beyond the skies, and we will not be disappointed.

This passage teaches us to be grateful. Father Ocean is a great receiver but also a generous giver. What the rivers bring to him he returns to the earth in the form of clouds and rain. The person who only receives, but never gives, is out of joint with the universe. To give to others is but sowing seed for ourselves. The one who is a good steward, willing to use his substance for his Lord, will be entrusted with more.

Friend of Jesus, are you giving to God out of the abundance of what you have received? Much has been given you, so where is your fruit? Have you done all you can? Can you not do more? To be selfish is to be wicked. If the ocean gave up none of its watery treasure, it would bring ruin upon the world. God forbid that any of us should follow the ungenerous and destructive policy of living unto ourselves. Jesus did not live to please himself. All fullness dwells in him, and of his fullness we have all received. O, that we may have the Spirit of Jesus so that we, too, do not live unto ourselves! [M&E]