Morning and Evening

January 29, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"The things which are not seen." — 2 Corinthians 4:18 · KJV

In our Christian pilgrimage it is well, for the most part, to be looking forward. Forward lies the crown; onward is the goal. Whether for hope, for joy, for consolation, or for the kindling of our love, the future must, after all, be the grand object of the eye of faith. Looking into the future we see sin cast out, the body of sin and death destroyed, the soul made perfect and fit to share the inheritance of the saints in light. Looking further still, the believer's enlightened eye sees death's river crossed, the gloomy stream forded, and the hills of light reached, on which stands the celestial city; he sees himself enter the pearly gates, welcomed as more than conqueror, crowned by the hand of Christ, embraced in the arms of Jesus, glorified with Him, and made to sit with Him on His throne, even as He overcame and sat down with the Father on His throne. The thought of this future may well relieve the darkness of the past and the gloom of the present. The joys of heaven will surely make up for the sorrows of earth. Hush, hush, my doubts! Death is but a narrow stream, and you shall soon have forded it. Time, how short; eternity, how long! Death, how brief; immortality, how endless! I seem even now to eat of Eshcol's clusters and sip from the well within the gate. The road is so short — I shall soon be there. When the world rends my heart with its heaviest storm of care, my glad thoughts, ascending to heaven, find a refuge from despair; faith's bright vision shall sustain me till life's pilgrimage is past, and though fears vex and troubles pain me, I shall reach my home at last.

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