Morning, June 1
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Genesis 1:5
"The evening and the morning were the first day."
Genesis 1:5
Was it so even in the beginning? Did light and darkness divide the
realm of time in the first day? Then little wonder is it if I have also
changes in my circumstances from the sunshine of prosperity to the
midnight of adversity. It will not always be the blaze of noon even in
my soul concerns, I must expect at seasons to mourn the absence of my
former joys, and seek my Beloved in the night. Nor am I alone in this,
for all the Lord's beloved ones have had to sing the mingled song of
judgment and of mercy, of trial and deliverance, of mourning and of
delight. It is one of the arrangements of Divine providence that day
and night shall not cease either in the spiritual or natural creation
till we reach the land of which it is written, "there is no night
there." What our heavenly Father ordains is wise and good.
What, then, my soul, is it best for thee to do? Learn first to be
content with this divine order, and be willing, with Job, to receive
evil from the hand of the Lord as well as good. Study next, to make the
outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice. Praise the Lord
for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it
falls. There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset; sing of it, and
glorify the Lord. Like the nightingale, pour forth thy notes at all
hours. Believe that the night is as useful as the day. The dews of
grace fall heavily in the night of sorrow. The stars of promise shine
forth gloriously amid the darkness of grief. Continue thy service under
all changes. If in the day thy watchword be labour, at night exchange
it for watch. Every hour has its duty, do thou continue in thy calling
as the Lord's servant until he shall suddenly appear in his glory. My
soul, thine evening of old age and death is drawing near; dread it not,
for it is part of the day; and the Lord has said, "I will cover him all
the day long."