Evening, March 5
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Psalms 35:3
"Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation."
Psalm 35:3
What does this sweet prayer teach me? It shall be my evening's
petition; but first let it yield me an instructive meditation. The text
informs me first of all that David had his doubts; for why should he
pray, "Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation," if he were not sometimes
exercised with doubts and fears? Let me, then, be of good cheer, for I
am not the only saint who has to complain of weakness of faith. If
David doubted, I need not conclude that I am no Christian because I
have doubts. The text reminds me that David was not content while he
had doubts and fears, but he repaired at once to the mercy-seat to pray
for assurance; for he valued it as much fine gold. I too must labour
after an abiding sense of my acceptance in the Beloved, and must have
no joy when his love is not shed abroad in my soul. When my Bridegroom
is gone from me, my soul must and will fast. I learn also that David
knew where to obtain full assurance. He went to his God in prayer,
crying, "Say unto my soul I am thy salvation." I must be much alone
with God if I would have a clear sense of Jesus' love. Let my prayers
cease, and my eye of faith will grow dim. Much in prayer, much in
heaven; slow in prayer, slow in progress. I notice that David would not
be satisfied unless his assurance had a divine source. "Say unto my
soul." Lord, do thou say it! Nothing short of a divine testimony in the
soul will ever content the true Christian. Moreover, David could not
rest unless his assurance had a vivid personality about it. "Say unto
my soul, I am thy salvation." Lord, if thou shouldst say this to all
the saints, it were nothing, unless thou shouldst say it to me. Lord, I
have sinned; I deserve not thy smile; I scarcely dare to ask it; but
oh! say to my soul, even to my soul, "I am thy salvation." Let me have
a present, personal, infallible, indisputable sense that I am thine,
and that thou art mine.