Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–
October 4– Morning
by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff
“At evening time, it shall be light.”
—Zechariah 14:7
We often have feelings of apprehension as we anticipate the time of our old age, forgetting that in the evening it shall be light. To many saints old age is the choicest season in their lives. A balmier air meets the sailor’s cheek as he nears the shore of immortality. Fewer waves ruffle his sea. Quiet reigns, deep, still and solemn.
From the altar of age, the flashes of youth’s fire are gone, but the more real flame of earnest feeling remains. The travelers have reached the happy country whose days are as the days of heaven upon earth. Angels visit it; celestial winds blow over it; flowers of paradise grow in it, and the air is filled with angelic music. Some dwell here for years, while others come to it but a few hours before their departure, but it’s like an “Eden on earth.”
We should look forward to the evening of our lives when we shall recline in its shady groves and be satisfied with hope until the time of our end comes. The setting sun seems larger than when it is flying high in the sky, and the splendor of its glory tinges all the clouds that surround its going down.
Even pain doesn’t break the calm of the sweet twilight of age, for strength made perfect in weakness bears up with patience under it all. Ripe fruits of “choice experience” are gathered as the rare food of life’s evening, and the soul prepares itself for rest.
The Lord’s people shall also enjoy light in the hour of death. Unbelief laments; the shadows fall; the night is coming; earthly existence is ending. But faith cries, “No.” Indeed, the night is far spent, but the true day is at hand. Light is coming– the light of immortality, the light of a Father’s countenance.
Gather up your feet into the bed, and see the waiting bands of spirits! Angels will take you away. Farewell, beloved one, you are gone; you wave your hand. Ah, now it is light. The pearly gates are open; the golden streets shine in the jasper light. We cover our eyes, but you behold the unseen. Good-bye, brother; you have light in the evening— the light that we have yet to see. [M&E]
