Morning and Evening

May 29, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho." — Joshua 6:26 · KJV

If a curse rested on the man who rebuilt Jericho, how much more on anyone who labors to restore false religion among us. In our forefathers' day the massive walls of superstition fell by the power of their faith, the persistence of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets; and now there are some who would rebuild that ruined system on its old foundation. O Lord, be pleased to frustrate their misguided efforts and pull down every stone they lay. It ought to be serious business with us to be thoroughly cleansed of every error that tends to nourish the spirit of superstition, and once we have made a clean sweep at home, we should seek in every way to oppose its all too rapid spread in the church and in the world. That last work can be done privately by fervent prayer and publicly by clear testimony. We must warn, with wise boldness, those who are drifting toward such errors; we must teach the young in gospel truth and tell them what dark deeds false religion produced in former times. We must help spread the light more thoroughly through the land, for error, like an owl, hates daylight. Are we doing all we can for Jesus and the gospel? If not, our negligence plays into the hands of those who trade on ignorance. What are we doing to spread the Bible, which is the great antidote to superstition? Are we scattering good, sound gospel writing far and wide? Luther once remarked that the devil hates goose quills, and no doubt he had good reason, for ready writers, under the Holy Spirit's blessing, have done that kingdom a great deal of damage. If the thousands who read this short word tonight will each do all they can to hinder the rebuilding of this ruined Jericho, the Lord's glory will spread swiftly among people everywhere. Reader, what can you do? What will you do?

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