Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

September 18– Evening

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

“[My sheep] follow me.'”

—John 10:27

We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their shepherd, for he has a right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not our own, we are bought with a price; so, let us recognize the rights of that redeeming blood. The soldier follows his captain, and the servant obeys his master. How much more should we follow our Redeemer to whom we are a purchased possession. Submission is our duty; quibbling is our folly. Our Lord might say to us, as he did to Peter, “What do my orders for others have to do with you? Follow me.”

Wherever Jesus may lead us, he goes before us. If we don’t know where we are going, we at least know with whom we go. With a companion like Jesus, who will fear the dangers of the road? The journey may be long, but his everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation; because he lives, we will live also.

We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith because the paths in which he leads us all end in glory and immortality. Those paths may not be smooth; they may be covered with the trials of sharp stones, but they lead to the “city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to those who keep His covenant.”

Let us put full trust in our Leader since we know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, his good and perfect purpose will be worked out in the life of everyone who is an heir of mercy. We will find it sweet to endure the gloomy side of the hill with Christ. To the top of mountains, to the dens of lions, or to the hills of leopards, we will follow the One we love. Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will run after you.” [M&E]