December 29, Morning
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." — 1 Samuel 7:12 · KJV
The word "hitherto" is like a hand pointing back to the past. Twenty years, or seventy, and still, "hitherto the Lord hath helped"! Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on land, on sea, in honor, in dishonor, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation — "hitherto hath the Lord helped us!" We delight to look down a long avenue of trees; it is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of green temple with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves. Even so, look down the long aisles of your years — at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness that bear up your joys. Are there no birds in those branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received "hitherto." But the word also points forward; for when a man reaches a certain mark and writes "hitherto," he is not yet at the end — there is still a distance to travel. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! There is more yet — awakening in Jesus' likeness; thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise your "Ebenezer," for He who has helped you hitherto will help you all your journey through. When read in heaven's light, how glorious and marvelous a prospect will your "hitherto" unfold to your grateful eye!