Beginnings
GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomy
Judges
JoshuaJudgesRuth
Kingdoms
1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings
Chronicles
1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEsther
Poetry
JobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of Solomon
Prophets
IsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDaniel
Minor Prophets
HoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicah
NahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachi
Messiah
MatthewMarkLukeJohnActs
Paul's Letters
Romans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians
1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrews
General Letters
James1 Peter2 Peter1 John
2 John3 JohnJude
Revelation
Revelation
Kept for this visit
Notes, starred verses and bookmarks kept while signed out last until this visit ends. Create a free account and everything you keep here moves into it, saved for good.
Create an account Sign in

Morning and Evening

August 20, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"And they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall." — Nehemiah 3:8 · KJV

Well-fortified cities have broad walls, and so had Jerusalem in her glory. The New Jerusalem must likewise be surrounded and preserved by a broad wall of nonconformity to the world — a separation from its customs and its spirit. The tendency of our day is to break down that holy barrier and make the distinction between the church and the world merely nominal. Professors are no longer strict; questionable literature is read on every hand, frivolous pastimes are freely indulged, and a general laxity threatens to strip the Lord's own people of those sacred distinctions that set them apart from sinners. It will be an evil day for the church and the world when the proposed merger is complete, and the sons of God and the daughters of men become as one; then shall another deluge of wrath be ushered in. Beloved reader, let it be your aim in heart, in word, in dress, and in action to maintain the broad wall, remembering that "the friendship of this world is enmity against God." Yet the broad wall was also a pleasant place of resort for the people of Jerusalem, from which they could look out over the surrounding country. This reminds us of the Lord's exceedingly broad commandments, in which we walk at liberty in communion with Jesus, overlooking the scenes of earth and looking out toward the glories of heaven. Separated from the world, and denying ourselves all ungodliness and fleshly lusts, we are nevertheless not in prison, nor hemmed in by narrow bounds; rather we walk at liberty, because we keep His precepts. Come, reader, this evening walk with God in His statutes. As friend met friend on the city wall, so meet your God in the way of holy prayer and meditation. You have a right to walk the bulwarks of salvation, for you are a free citizen of the royal city, a citizen of the capital of the universe.