Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

 February 5– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“At that time Jesus answered…” 

—Matthew 11:25

This is a remarkable way for this verse to begin, because, if you look at the context, you will find that no one had asked Jesus a question or was in conversation with him.  And yet we find it written, “Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank you, O Father…” Who, then, had spoken to Christ? It was his Father. Yet there is no record of it here!  And this should teach us something– that Jesus had constant fellowship with his Father and that God spoke into his heart so often, so continually, that it was nothing special to be recorded.

Even as Jesus was in this world, so are we; let us, therefore, learn the lesson which this simple statement concerning him teaches us. May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that we may often answer him. And though the world around us does not know to whom we speak, may we be responding to that secret voice unheard by any other ear, which our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy.

God has spoken to us, so let us speak to God.  We may resonate with the fact that God is true and faithful to his promise, or we may confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us. Perhaps we will acknowledge the mercy which God’s providence has given, or express assent to the great truths which God the Holy Spirit has opened to our understanding.

What a privilege it is to commune with the Father of our spirits! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy of which even our nearest friend is not part. But, if we would hear the whispers of God’s love, our ear must be cleaned and tuned to listen to his voice. This very evening may our hearts be in such a state that, when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to answer him. [M&E]