Morning, August 15

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide."

  Genesis 24:63

   Very admirable was his occupation. If those who spend so many hours in
   idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes, could learn wisdom,
   they would find more profitable society and more interesting
   engagements in meditation than in the vanities which now have such
   charms for them. We should all know more, live nearer to God, and grow
   in grace, if we were more alone. Meditation chews the cud and extracts
   the real nutriment from the mental food gathered elsewhere. When Jesus
   is the theme, meditation is sweet indeed. Isaac found Rebecca while
   engaged in private musings; many others have found their best beloved
   there.

   Very admirable was the choice of place. In the field we have a study
   hung round with texts for thought. From the cedar to the hyssop, from
   the soaring eagle down to the chirping grasshopper, from the blue
   expanse of heaven to a drop of dew, all things are full of teaching,
   and when the eye is divinely opened, that teaching flashes upon the
   mind far more vividly than from written books. Our little rooms are
   neither so healthy, so suggestive, so agreeable, or so inspiring as the
   fields. Let us count nothing common or unclean, but feel that all
   created things point to their Maker, and the field will at once be
   hallowed.

   Very admirable was the season. The season of sunset as it draws a veil
   over the day, befits that repose of the soul when earthborn cares yield
   to the joys of heavenly communion. The glory of the setting sun excites
   our wonder, and the solemnity of approaching night awakens our awe. If
   the business of this day will permit it, it will be well, dear reader,
   if you can spare an hour to walk in the field at eventide, but if not,
   the Lord is in the town too, and will meet with thee in thy chamber or
   in the crowded street. Let thy heart go forth to meet him.