Evening, July 16
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
"Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour
her, yea, the set time is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her
stones, and favour the dust thereof."
Psalm 102:13, 14
A selfish man in trouble is exceedingly hard to comfort, because the
springs of his comfort lie entirely within himself, and when he is sad
all his springs are dry. But a large-hearted man full of Christian
philanthropy, has other springs from which to supply himself with
comfort beside those which lie within. He can go to his God first of
all, and there find abundant help; and he can discover arguments for
consolation in things relating to the world at large, to his country,
and, above all, to the church. David in this Psalm was exceedingly
sorrowful; he wrote, "I am like an owl of the desert. I watch, and am
as a sparrow alone upon the house top." The only way in which he could
comfort himself, was in the reflection that God would arise, and have
mercy upon Zion: though he was sad, yet Zion should prosper; however
low his own estate, yet Zion should arise. Christian man! learn to
comfort thyself in God's gracious dealing towards the church. That
which is so dear to thy Master, should it not be dear above all else to
thee? What though thy way be dark, canst thou not gladden thine heart
with the triumphs of his cross and the spread of his truth? Our own
personal troubles are forgotten while we look, not only upon what God
has done, and is doing for Zion, but on the glorious things he will yet
do for his church. Try this receipt, O believer, whenever thou art sad
of heart and in heaviness of spirit: forget thyself and thy little
concerns, and seek the welfare and prosperity of Zion. When thou
bendest thy knee in prayer to God, limit not thy petition to the narrow
circle of thine own life, tried though it be, but send out thy longing
prayers for the church's prosperity, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,"
and thine own soul shall be refreshed.