Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

October 31– Evening

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

[God said to Israel], “I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.”

—Hosea 13:5

Yes, Lord, you did, indeed, know me in my fallen condition, and yet you still choose me for yourself. When I was loathsome and self-abhorred, you received me as your child, and you satisfied my craving wants. May your name be blessed forever for this free, rich, abounding mercy.

Since then, however, my inward experience has often been a wilderness; but you have kept me as your loved one and poured streams of love and grace into me to cheer me up and make me fruitful. Yes, even when outward circumstances have been at the worst and I have wandered in a land of drought, your sweet presence has comforted me. Men have not known me at my worst, but you have; yet no affliction of mine can dim the luster of your love.

Most gracious Lord, I magnify you for all your faithfulness to me in trying circumstances. I lament the times I have forgotten you and became proud in heart. I owe everything to your gentleness and love. Have mercy upon your servant!

My soul, if Jesus cares for you like this even in your lowly condition, be sure that you own both himself and his cause now that you have been exalted. Don’t be lifted up by worldly successes so as to be ashamed of the truth, or of the Savior, or of the church with which you are associated— even in its poorest condition. Follow Jesus into the wilderness; bear the cross with him when the heat of persecution grows hot. He owned you, O my soul, in your poverty and shame. Never be so treacherous as to be ashamed of him. O that I would be ashamed at the very thought of being ashamed of the One I love! Jesus, my soul clings to you.

“I’ll turn to you in days of light and during nights of care;
To you, Brightest amid all that is bright and Fairest among the fair!”

[M&E]