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January 17

Morning

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion. — Rev 14:1

The apostle John was privileged to look within the gates of heaven, and in describing what he saw, he begins by saying, “I looked, and there before me was the Lamb!” This teaches us that the chief object of contemplation in the heavenly state, is “the Lamb of God.” Nothing else attracted the apostle’s attention, so much as that Divine Being, who has redeemed us by His blood. He is the theme of the songs of all glorified spirits and holy angels.

Christian, here is joy for you; you have looked, and you have seen the Lamb. Through your tears—your eyes have seen the Lamb of God taking away your sins. Rejoice, then. In a little while, when your eyes shall have been wiped from tears—you will see the same Lamb exalted on His throne! It is the joy of your heart to hold daily fellowship with Jesus; you shall have the same joy to a higher degree in heaven; you shall enjoy the constant vision of His presence; you shall dwell with Him forever! “I looked, and there before me was the Lamb!”

Why, that Lamb is heaven itself; for as holy Rutherford says, “Heaven and Christ are the same thing!” To be with Christ is to be in heaven and to be in heaven is to be with Christ. That prisoner of the Lord very sweetly writes in one of his glowing letters, “O my Lord Jesus Christ, if I could be in heaven without you—it would be a hell; and if I could be in hell, and have you still—it would be a heaven to me, for you are all the heaven I want.” It is true, is it not, Christian? Does not your soul say so?

“Not all the harps above
Can make a heavenly place,
If God His residence remove,
Or but conceal His face.”

All you need to make you blessed, supremely blessed, is “to be with Christ.”


Evening

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house. — 2 Sam 11:2

At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements to evil. The morning opens with peril, and the shadows of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept—whom God keeps but woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure, are more exposed to danger than any others. The armor-bearer of Sin—is self-confidence.

David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord’s battles, instead of which he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed at eventide. Idleness and luxury are the devil’s jackals and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters—noxious creatures swarm. Neglected soil—soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briars. Oh for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful!

When I see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day, and falling at once into temptation, let me take warning, and set holy watchfulness to guard the door. Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however secret, a sanctuary from sin!

While our hearts are so like a tinder-box, and sparks so plentiful—we had need use all diligence in all places to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops, and enter closets and even if we could shut out that foul fiend, our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin—unless grace prevents it.

Reader, beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down but sin is up. We need a watchman for the night— as well as a guardian for the day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen.


Morning and Evening - January 17

Public domain content taken from Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon.


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