Daily Devotionals
Charles Spurgeon's "Morning & Evening"
Devotional: April 15th

Morning

“Thy law is my delight.”

Psalms 119:65-80

We will take another draught from the overflowing well of David’s ever fresh and sparkling Psalm. May the Holy Ghost make it really refreshing to us.

Psalms 119:65

Blessed be the name of God, our Father, this is most joyfully true. Some of us here present can say, “Amen, Amen.” Every promise has been fulfilled in its season. We have served a good Master and loved a faithful God. Alas! we have not dealt so well with him as we ought to have done.

Psalms 119:66

One of the Reformers, in a public discussion, was observed to write upon a paper before him. His friend wished to see the notes which had so much helped him, and was surprised to find that they consisted simply of these brief prayers, “More light, Lord; more light, more light.” This is just what David asked for, let us seek the same.

Psalms 119:67

Sweet are the uses of adversity; it pens in the sheep so that they cannot wander as before.

Psalms 119:68

It is the nature of goodness to communicate itself, therefore does the psalmist beseech the good Lord to show him how to be good.

Psalms 119:69

He would answer their calumnies in the most effectual manner, by living them down.

Psalms 119:70

They suffered spiritually from fatty degeneration of the heart, and were doltish, gluttonous, lifeless; David made them a warning to himself, and all the more delighted in the law of the Lord.

Psalms 119:73

Thou hast made me, be pleased to new-make me. I am thy work complete me: I am thy harp, tune me; I am thy child, teach me.

Psalms 119:74

The grace experienced by one believer cheers others; indeed a good man is always a son of consolation to his brethren. He who comes forth perfumed with the spices of God’s word, imparts delight to all with whom he associates.

Psalms 119:75

This we may be quite sure of, but we are apt to forget it when we are on the bleak side of the hill.

Psalms 119:76

The phrase, “according to thy word,” shows us that we should in prayer plead the very words of God, laying our fingers upon them, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, beseeching the Lord to be as good as his own promise. Rest assured he will never deny himself. He is not the son of man that he should repent.

Psalms 119:77-78

Under persecution the Psalmist ran at once to the Word. Never begin to argue, or grow angry, but run to your Father in heaven, when men upon earth do you wrong.

Psalms 119:79 , Psalms 119:80

Make thy children willing to help me, and to be helped by me. Let me be a magnet to gather good company, not a besom to sweep them away. May I cultivate love and promote unity; yet not at the expense of truth, therefore do I pray

Father, I bless thy gentle hand;

How kind was thy chastising rod;

That forced my conscience to a stand,

And brought my wandering soul to God!

Foolish and vain I went astray,

Ere I had felt thy scourges, Lord;

I left my guide, and lost my way;

But now I love and keep thy word.

Evening

“Ye people, pour out your heart before Him.”

1 Samuel 1:1-3 , 1 Samuel 1:9-18

1 Samuel 1:1-2

It is a sad thing to find a Levite tainted with the error of double marriage, and in this case as in every other it caused much family misery, especially to that wife who was the best and holiest, though denied the blessing of children. Poor Hannah, a woman of great gifts as well as great grace, was so tormented by Peninnah, that her life was made bitter to her. How great a mercy it is that Christianity forbids polygamy, which the old dispensation barely tolerated, and that only because of the hardness of men’s hearts.

1 Samuel 1:3 , 1 Samuel 1:9 , 1 Samuel 1:10

Her husband loved her, but she needed richer consolation, and she sought it in much earnest prayer. This is the sure fount of comfort.

1 Samuel 1:11

Bishop Hall well remarks that “the way to obtain any benefit is to devote it, in our hearts, to the glory of that God of whom we ask it; by this means shall God both please his servant, and honour himself; whereas if the scope of our desires be carnal, we may be sure either to fail of our suit, or of a blessing.”

1 Samuel 1:12

With all his faults, Eli did not neglect his duty, but sat at his post and watched the worshippers. The very presence of the priest helped to keep order in God’s house.

1 Samuel 1:13

Good men may err. Eli was too indulgent where he ought to have been severe, and too censorious where he should have been charitable. How small a thing it is to be judged of men.

1 Samuel 1:14-16

How gently she replied! Some would have flown into a passion. Meekness is a lovely ornament of piety.

1 Samuel 1:17

Eli was not above confessing his error, and making speedy amends. Let us never be ashamed to acknowledge when we are wrong, nor slow to offer every redress in our power.

1 Samuel 1:18

Her faith in the word of God spoken by his servant was so strong, that she began at once to rejoice in the blessing promised to her. Such ought to be our confidence in the divine promise; we should be no more sad, but look out for the blessing, and welcome it with smiling countenance.

My heart is resting, O my God;

I will give thanks and sing;

My soul awaits that joyful hour

Which shall the blessing bring.

And a “new song” is in my mouth,

To long-loved music set;

Glory to thee for all the grace

I have not tasted yet.