Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening Devotions

Morning, September 18

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the
Spirit." – Galatians 5:25

The two most important things in our holy religion are the life of
faith and the walk of faith. He who shall rightly understand these is
not far from being a master in experimental theology, for they are vital
points to a Christian. You will never find true faith unattended by true
godliness; on the other hand, you will never discover a truly holy life
which has not for its root a living faith upon the righteousness of
Christ.

Woe unto those who seek after the one without the other! There are
some who cultivate faith and forget holiness; these may be very high in
orthodoxy, but they shall be very deep in condemnation, for they hold
the truth in unrighteousness; and there are others who have strained
after holiness of life, but have denied the faith, like the Pharisees of
old, of whom the Master said, they were "whitewashed
sepulchres." We must have faith, for this is the foundation; we
must have holiness of life, for this is the superstructure. Of what
service is the mere foundation of a building to a man in the day of
tempest? Can he hide himself therein? He wants a house to cover him, as
well as a foundation for that house.

Even so we need the superstructure of spiritual life if we would
have comfort in the day of doubt. But seek not a holy life without
faith, for that would be to erect a house which can afford no permanent
shelter, because it has no foundation on a rock. Let faith and life be
put together, and, like the two abutments of an arch, they will make our
piety enduring.

Like light and heat streaming from the same sun, they are alike full
of blessing. Like the two pillars of the temple, they are for glory and
for beauty. They are two streams from the fountain of grace; two lamps
lit with holy fire; two olive trees watered by heavenly care.

O Lord, give us this day life within, and it will reveal itself
without to thy glory.

Evening, September 18

"And they follow me." – John 10:27

We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their
shepherd, for he has a right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not
our own, we are bought with a price-let us recognize the rights of the
redeeming blood. The soldier follows his captain, the servant obeys his
master, much more must we follow our Redeemer, to whom we are a
purchased possession.

We are not true to our profession of being Christians, if we
question the bidding of our Leader and Commander. Submission is our
duty, cavilling is our folly. Often might our Lord say to us as to
Peter, "What is that to thee? Follow thou me."

Wherever Jesus may lead us, he goes before us. If we know not where
we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread
the perils of the road? The journey may be long, but his everlasting
arms will carry us to the end.

The presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because
he lives, we shall live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and
faith, because the paths in which he leads us all end in glory and
immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths-they may be covered
with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the "city which hath
foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

"All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as
keep his covenant." Let us put full trust in our Leader, since we
know that, come prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity
or contempt, his purpose shall be worked out, and that purpose shall be
pure, unmingled good to every heir of mercy. We shall find it sweet to
go up the bleak side of the hill with Christ; and when rain and snow
blow into our faces, his dear love will make us far more blest than
those who sit at home and warm their hands at the world’s fire.

To the top of Amana, to the dens of lions, or to the hills of
leopards, we will follow our Beloved. Precious Jesus, draw us, and we
will run after thee.

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