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Morning and Evening

January 29, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"The dove came in to him in the evening." — Genesis 8:11 · KJV

Blessed be the Lord for another day of mercy, even though I am now weary with its toils. To the Preserver of men I lift my song of gratitude. The dove found no rest out of the ark, and so returned to it; and my soul has learned more fully than ever today that there is no satisfaction in earthly things — God alone can give rest to my spirit. My business, my possessions, my family, my attainments — these are all well enough in their way, but they cannot fill the desires of my immortal nature. "Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." It was at the still hour, when the gates of the day were closing, that with weary wing the dove came back to her master; O Lord, help me this evening to return in the same way to Jesus. She could not bear to spend a night hovering over the restless waste, nor can I bear to be even one more hour away from Jesus, the rest of my heart and the home of my spirit. She did not merely settle on the roof of the ark; she "came in to him." Even so would my longing spirit look into the secret of the Lord, pierce to the heart of truth, enter within the veil, and reach my Beloved indeed. To Jesus I must come; short of the nearest and dearest fellowship with Him my panting spirit cannot rest. Blessed Lord Jesus, be with me, reveal Yourself, and abide with me all night, so that when I wake I may still be with You. I notice, too, that the dove brought in her mouth an olive branch freshly plucked — a memorial of the past day and a prophecy of the future. Have I no pleasing record to bring home, no pledge and foretaste of lovingkindness yet to come? Yes, my Lord: I offer You my grateful thanks for tender mercies that have been new every morning and fresh every evening; and now, I pray You, put forth Your hand and take Your dove into Your bosom.