Evening, October 22
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
John 16:15
"He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you."
John 16:15
There are times when all the promises and doctrines of the Bible are of
no avail, unless a gracious hand shall apply them to us. We are
thirsty, but too faint to crawl to the water-brook. When a soldier is
wounded in battle it is of little use for him to know that there are
those at the hospital who can bind up his wounds, and medicines there
to ease all the pains which he now suffers: what he needs is to be
carried thither, and to have the remedies applied. It is thus with our
souls, and to meet this need there is one, even the Spirit of truth,
who takes of the things of Jesus, and applies them to us. Think not
that Christ hath placed his joys on heavenly shelves that we may climb
up to them for ourselves, but he draws near, and sheds his peace abroad
in our hearts. O Christian, if thou art tonight labouring under deep
distresses, thy Father does not give thee promises and then leave thee
to draw them up from the Word like buckets from a well, but the
promises he has written in the Word he will write anew on your heart.
He will manifest his love to you, and by his blessed Spirit, dispel
your cares and troubles. Be it known unto thee, O mourner, that it is
God's prerogative to wipe every tear from the eye of his people. The
good Samaritan did not say, "Here is the wine, and here is the oil for
you;" he actually poured in the oil and the wine. So Jesus not only
gives you the sweet wine of the promise, but holds the golden chalice
to your lips, and pours the life-blood into your mouth. The poor, sick,
way-worn pilgrim is not merely strengthened to walk, but he is borne on
eagles' wings. Glorious gospel! which provides everything for the
helpless, which draws nigh to us when we cannot reach after it--brings
us grace before we seek for grace! Here is as much glory in the giving
as in the gift. Happy people who have the Holy Ghost to bring Jesus to
them.