Morning, July 2

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"Our heart shall rejoice in Him."

  Psalm 33:21

   Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest
   distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and,
   like many birds, they sing best in their cages. The waves may roll over
   them, but their souls soon rise to the surface and see the light of
   God's countenance; they have a buoyancy about them which keeps their
   head always above the water, and helps them to sing amid the tempest,
   "God is with me still." To whom shall the glory be given? Oh! to
   Jesus--it is all by Jesus. Trouble does not necessarily bring
   consolation with it to the believer, but the presence of the Son of God
   in the fiery furnace with him fills his heart with joy. He is sick and
   suffering, but Jesus visits him and makes his bed for him. He is dying,
   and the cold chilly waters of Jordan are gathering about him up to the
   neck, but Jesus puts His arms around him, and cries, "Fear not,
   beloved; to die is to be blessed; the waters of death have their
   fountain-head in heaven; they are not bitter, they are sweet as nectar,
   for they flow from the throne of God." As the departing saint wades
   through the stream, and the billows gather around him, and heart and
   flesh fail him, the same voice sounds in his ears, "Fear not; I am with
   thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God." As he nears the borders of the
   infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted to enter the realm of
   shades, Jesus says, "Fear not, it is your Father's good pleasure to
   give you the kingdom." Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is
   not afraid to die; nay, he is even willing to depart, for since he has
   seen Jesus as the morning star, he longs to gaze upon Him as the sun in
   his strength. Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire.
   He is at once


   "The glory of our brightest days;

   The comfort of our nights."