Morning, April 24

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"And because of all this we make a sure covenant."

  Nehemiah 9:38

   There are many occasions in our experience when we may very rightly,
   and with benefit, renew our covenant with God. After recovery from
   sickness when, like Hezekiah, we have had a new term of years added to
   our life, we may fitly do it. After any deliverance from trouble, when
   our joys bud forth anew, let us again visit the foot of the cross, and
   renew our consecration. Especially, let us do this after any sin which
   has grieved the Holy Spirit, or brought dishonour upon the cause of
   God; let us then look to that blood which can make us whiter than snow,
   and again offer ourselves unto the Lord. We should not only let our
   troubles confirm our dedication to God, but our prosperity should do
   the same. If we ever meet with occasions which deserve to be called
   "crowning mercies" then, surely, if he hath crowned us, we ought also
   to crown our God; let us bring forth anew all the jewels of the divine
   regalia which have been stored in the jewel-closet of our heart, and
   let our God sit upon the throne of our love, arrayed in royal apparel.
   If we would learn to profit by our prosperity, we should not need so
   much adversity. If we would gather from a kiss all the good it might
   confer upon us, we should not so often smart under the rod. Have we
   lately received some blessing which we little expected? Has the Lord
   put our feet in a large room? Can we sing of mercies multiplied? Then
   this is the day to put our hand upon the horns of the altar, and say,
   "Bind me here, my God; bind me here with cords, even forever." Inasmuch
   as we need the fulfilment of new promises from God, let us offer
   renewed prayers that our old vows may not be dishonoured. Let us this
   morning make with him a sure covenant, because of the pains of Jesus
   which for the last month we have been considering with gratitude.