Evening, May 12
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
"Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great
nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely
bring thee up again."
Genesis 46:3,4
Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his
father's sojourning, and dwelling among heathen strangers. It was a new
scene, and likely to be a trying one: who shall venture among couriers
of a foreign monarch without anxiety? Yet the way was evidently
appointed for him, and therefore he resolved to go. This is frequently
the position of believers now--they are called to perils and
temptations altogether untried: at such seasons let them imitate
Jacob's example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God, and seeking
his direction; let them not take a step until they have waited upon the
Lord for his blessing: then they will have Jacob's companion to be
their friend and helper. How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is
with us in all our ways, and condescends to go down into our
humiliations and banishments with us! Even beyond the ocean our
Father's love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to
go where Jehovah promises his presence; even the valley of deathshade
grows bright with the radiance of this assurance. Marching onwards with
faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob's promise. They shall be
brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the
chambers of death. Jacob's seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so
shall all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulation of life,
and the terror of death. Let us exercise Jacob's confidence. "Fear
not," is the Lord's command and his divine encouragement to those who
at his bidding are launching upon new seas; the divine presence and
preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear. Without our God we
should fear to move; but when he bids us to, it would be dangerous to
tarry. Reader, go forward, and fear not.