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Charles H. Spurgeon
Morning and Evening Devotion July 24 MORNING “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” - Exodus 14:13
These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to
great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot
retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on
the left; what is he now to do? The Master’s word to him is, “Stand
still.” It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his
Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions.
Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would
have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice
in his love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the
worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part, it is
too difficult. Relinquish your principles.” But, however much Satan may
urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of
God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so
thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course.
What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to
renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy
cries, “do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer
idleness.” We must be doing something at once-we must do it so we
think-instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something
but will do everything. Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you,
march into it and expect a miracle.” But Faith listens neither to
Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but
it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands.
“Stand still;”-keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action,
expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the
directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as
distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”
July 24 EVENING “His camp is very great.” - Joel 2:11
Consider, my soul, the mightiness of the Lord who is thy glory and
defence. He is a man of war, Jehovah is his name. All the forces of
heaven are at his beck, legions wait at his door, cherubim and
seraphim;, watchers and holy ones, principalities and powers, are all
attentive to his will. If our eyes were not blinded by the ophthalmia
of the flesh, we should see horses of fire and chariots of fire round
about the Lord’s beloved. The powers of nature are all subject to the
absolute control of the Creator: stormy wind and tempest, lightning and
rain, and snow, and hail, and the soft dews and cheering sunshine, come
and go at his decree. The bands of Orion he looseth, and bindeth the
sweet influences of the Pleiades. Earth, sea, and air, and the places
under the earth, are the barracks for Jehovah’s great armies; space is
his camping ground, light is his banner, and flame is his sword. When
he goeth forth to war, famine ravages the land, pestilence smites the
nations, hurricane sweeps the sea, tornado shakes the mountains, and
earthquake makes the solid world to tremble. As for animate creatures,
they all own his dominion, and from the great fish which swallowed the
prophet, down to “all manner of flies,” which plagued the field of
Zoan, all are his servants, and like the palmer-worm, the caterpillar,
and the cankerworm, are squadrons of his great army, for his camp is
very great. My soul, see to it that thou be at peace with this mighty
King, yea, more, be sure to enlist under his banner, for to war against
him is madness, and to serve him is glory. Jesus, Immanuel, God with
us, is ready to receive recruits for the army of the Lord: if I am not
already enlisted let me go to him ere I sleep, and beg to be accepted
through his merits; and if I be already, as I hope I am, a soldier of
the cross, let me be of good courage; for the enemy is powerless
compared with my Lord, whose camp is very great. For instructions on being Born
Again click here or top of page. Thank you for reading. E-mail
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