Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

 March 14– Evening

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

“I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue.” 

—Psalm 39:1

Fellow-pilgrim, do not say in your heart, “I will go here and there and will not sin.” You are never far enough away from the danger of sinning to boast of your security. The road is very muddy, and it will be hard to travel it without getting your clothes dirty. This is a world of grease and tar, so you will need to handle it in such a way as to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to steal your jewels. There is even temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy. In fact, if you reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your Father’s power.

Meanwhile, be on your guard. When a man carries explosives in his hand, he should not dare to go near a candle. In the same way, you must take care not to enter into temptation. Even your common actions are sharp tools, so you must pay attention and use them well. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian’s holiness but everything to destroy it. Take care to keep your eyes fixed on God so that he may keep you! Your prayer should be: “Hold me up, O God, and I will be safe.”

Having prayed, then, you must also be on the lookout, guarding every thought, word, and action with holy jealousy. Do not expose yourselves unnecessarily to evil. If you are commanded to go where the arrows are flying, never go without your shield! If the devil finds you without protection, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph has arrived, and he will soon make you fall, wounded by his arrows. He can never kill you, but his wounds can be severe.

“Be careful; be alert! Danger may come to you when all seems secure.” May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways to please the Lord. [M&E]