Evening, July 18
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Joel 2:8
"Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his
path."
Joel 2:8
Locusts always keep their rank, and although their number is legion,
they do not crowd upon each other, so as to throw their columns into
confusion. This remarkable fact in natural history shows how thoroughly
the Lord has infused the spirit of order into his universe, since the
smallest animate creatures are as much controlled by it as are the
rolling spheres or the seraphic messengers. It would be wise for
believers to be ruled by the same influence in all their spiritual
life. In their Christian graces no one virtue should usurp the sphere
of another, or eat out the vitals of the rest for its own support.
Affection must not smother honesty, courage must not elbow weakness out
of the field, modesty must not jostle energy, and patience must not
slaughter resolution. So also with our duties, one must not interfere
with another; public usefulness must not injure private piety; church
work must not push family worship into a corner. It is ill to offer God
one duty stained with the blood of another. Each thing is beautiful in
its season, but not otherwise. It was to the Pharisee that Jesus said,
"This ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone."
The same rule applies to our personal position, we must take care to
know our place, take it, and keep to it. We must minister as the Spirit
has given us ability, and not intrude upon our fellow servant's domain.
Our Lord Jesus taught us not to covet the high places, but to be
willing to be the least among the brethren. Far from us be an envious,
ambitious spirit, let us feel the force of the Master's command, and do
as he bids us, keeping rank with the rest of the host. To-night let us
see whether we are keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of
peace, and let our prayer be that, in all the churches of the Lord
Jesus, peace and order may prevail.