Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

 February 7– Evening

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

“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up here.” 

—Revelation 11:12

Without considering these words in their prophetic context, let us regard them as the invitation of our great Forerunner, the Lord Jesus, to the people he has set aside for himself. In due time every believer will hear “a great voice from heaven” saying, “Come up here.” This should be to the saints the subject of joyful anticipation. Instead of dreading the time when we shall leave this world to go unto the Father, we should be panting for the hour of our emancipation. Our song should be

“My heart is with him on his throne.
I cannot tolerate delay;
Each moment listening for his voice,
‘Rise up, and come away.'”

We are not called down to the grave, but up to the skies! Our heaven-born spirits should long for their native air. And yet the celestial summons requires our patient waiting. We must not wish to rush the period of our departure. I know that strong love will make us cry, “O Lord of Hosts, divide the sea, and let us step on heaven’s shore.” But patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with accurate wisdom the most fitting time for the redeemed to leave this world below.

Surely, if there could be regrets in heaven, the saints might mourn that they did not live longer here to do more good. Oh, for more sheaves to be gathered into my Lord’s barn! More jewels for his crown! And how can this happen unless there is more work? True, there is the other side of it; in living here more briefly, our sins are fewer. But when we are fully serving God and he is giving us precious seed to scatter and allowing us to gather in a great harvest, we would conclude that it is good for us to be here as long as he desires.

Whether our Master says “go,” or “stay,” let us be equally pleased— so long as he indulges us with his presence. [M&E]