February 25, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"The wrath to come." — Matthew 3:7 · KJV

It is pleasant to travel across a country after a storm has spent itself — to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed, and to watch the drops glisten like purest diamonds in the sunlight. That is the Christian's position. He is passing through a land where the storm has already spent itself on his Savior's head; and if a few drops of sorrow fall, they distil from clouds of mercy, and Jesus cheers him with the assurance that they are not for his destruction. But how terrible it is to watch a tempest approach: to note the forewarnings of the storm, to see the birds droop their wings, the cattle lay their heads low in terror, the sky grow black, the sun refuse to shine, and the heavens frown in anger! How terrible to await the dread advance of a hurricane — such as sometimes strikes the tropics — to wait in awful apprehension until the wind rushes forth in fury, tearing up trees by the roots, forcing rocks from their beds, and flinging down all the dwellings of men! And yet, sinner, this is your present position. No hot drops have yet fallen, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you, but God's tempest is gathering its dread artillery. As yet the flood-waters are dammed up by mercy, but the flood-gates shall soon be opened; the thunderbolts of God are still in His storehouse, but the tempest hastens on, and how awful that moment will be when God, robed in vengeance, marches forth in fury! Where, O sinner, will you hide your head, or where will you flee? Oh, that the hand of mercy might now lead you to Christ! He is freely set before you in the gospel; His wounded side is the rock of shelter. You know your need of Him; believe in Him, cast yourself upon Him, and then the fury shall be forever overpast.