Morning, August 11
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Job 29:2
"Oh that I were as in months past."
Job 29:2
Numbers of Christians can view the past with pleasure, but regard the
present with dissatisfaction; they look back upon the days which they
have passed in communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the
best they have ever known, but as to the present, it is clad in a sable
garb of gloom and dreariness. Once they lived near to Jesus, but now
they feel that they have wandered from him, and they say, "O that I
were as in months past!" They complain that they have lost their
evidences, or that they have not present peace of mind, or that they
have no enjoyment in the means of grace, or that conscience is not so
tender, or that they have not so much zeal for God's glory. The causes
of this mournful state of things are manifold. It may arise through a
comparative neglect of prayer, for a neglected closet is the beginning
of all spiritual decline. Or it may be the result of idolatry. The
heart has been occupied with something else, more than with God; the
affections have been set on the things of earth, instead of the things
of heaven. A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; he
must be loved first and best. He will withdraw the sunshine of his
presence from a cold, wandering heart. Or the cause may be found in
self-confidence and self-righteousness. Pride is busy in the heart, and
self is exalted instead of lying low at the foot of the cross.
Christian, if you are not now as you "were in months past," do not rest
satisfied with wishing for a return of former happiness, but go at once
to seek your Master, and tell him your sad state. Ask his grace and
strength to help you to walk more closely with him; humble yourself
before him, and he will lift you up, and give you yet again to enjoy
the light of his countenance. Do not sit down to sigh and lament; while
the beloved Physician lives there is hope, nay there is a certainty of
recovery for the worst cases.