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Morning and Evening

June 13, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Remove far from me vanity and lies.' 'O my God, be not far from me." — Proverbs 30:8; Psalm 38:21 · KJV

"O my God, be not far from me." Here we have two great lessons—what to pray against and what to pray for. The happiest state of a Christian is the holiest state. As there is most heat nearest the sun, so there is most happiness nearest to Christ. No Christian enjoys comfort while his eyes are fixed on vanity; he finds no satisfaction unless his soul is quickened in the ways of God. The world may find happiness elsewhere, but he cannot. I do not blame ungodly men for rushing to their pleasures—why should I? Let them have their fill; that is all they have to enjoy. A converted wife who despaired of her husband was always very kind to him, for she said, "I fear this is the only world in which he will be happy, and therefore I have made up my mind to make him as happy as I can in it." Christians must seek their delights in a higher sphere than the insipid frivolities or sinful enjoyments of the world. Vain pursuits are dangerous to renewed souls. We have heard of a philosopher who fell into a pit while gazing up at the stars; but how much deeper is the fall of those who look down—their fall is fatal. No Christian is safe when his soul is slothful and his God is far from him. Every Christian is always safe as to the great matter of his standing in Christ, but he is not safe as regards his experience of holiness and communion with Jesus in this life. Satan does not often attack a Christian who is living near to God. It is when the Christian departs from his God, grows spiritually starved, and tries to feed on vanities that the devil finds his hour of advantage. He may sometimes stand toe to toe with the child of God who is active in his Master's service, but that battle is generally short. He who slips as he goes down into the Valley of Humiliation invites Apollyon to assault him with every false step he takes. Oh, for grace to walk humbly with our God!