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Morning and Evening

October 31, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought." — Hosea 13:5 · KJV

Yes, Lord, You did indeed know me in my fallen state, and You even then chose me for Yourself. When I was loathsome and self-abhorred, You received me as Your child and satisfied my craving wants. Blessed for ever be Your name for this free, rich, abounding mercy! Since then my inward experience has often been a wilderness; but You have owned me still as Your beloved, and poured streams of love and grace into me to gladden me and make me fruitful. Yes, when my outward circumstances were at their worst, and I wandered in a land of drought, Your sweet presence consoled me. Men have not known me when scorn awaited me, but You have known my soul in adversities, for no affliction dims the luster of Your love. Most gracious Lord, I magnify You for all Your faithfulness to me in trying circumstances, and I grieve that I should ever have forgotten You and been lifted up in heart, when I owed all to Your gentleness and love. Have mercy on Your servant in this thing! My soul, if Jesus thus acknowledged you in your low estate, be sure that you own both Him and His cause now that you are in your prosperity. Do not be lifted up by your worldly successes, so as to be ashamed of the truth, or of the poor church with which you have been associated. Follow Jesus into the wilderness; bear the cross with Him when the heat of persecution grows hot. He owned you, O my soul, in your poverty and shame — never be so treacherous as to be ashamed of Him. Oh, for more shame at the very thought of being ashamed of my best Beloved! Jesus, my soul cleaves to You. I will turn to You in days of light as well as nights of care — You, brightest amid all that is bright, You, fairest of the fair!