Spurgeon: January PM
* 01/29/PM
"The dove came in to him in the evening."
--Genesis 8:11
Blessed be the Lord for another day of mercy, even though I
am now weary with its toils. Unto the preserver of men lift I
my song of gratitude. The dove found no rest out of the ark,
and therefore returned to it; and my soul has learned yet more
fully than ever, this day, that there is no satisfaction to be
found in earthly things--God alone can give rest to my spirit.
As to my business, my possessions, my family, my attainments,
these are all well enough in their way, but they cannot fulfil
the desires of my immortal nature. "Return unto thy rest, O my
soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." It was at
the still hour, when the gates of the day were closing, that
with weary wing the dove came back to the master: O Lord,
enable me this evening thus to return to Jesus. She could not
endure to spend a night hovering over the restless waste, not
can I bear to be even for another hour away from Jesus, the
rest of my heart, the home of my spirit. She did not merely
alight upon the roof of the ark, she "came in to him;" even so
would my longing spirit look into the secret of the Lord,
pierce to the interior of truth, enter into that which is
within the veil, and reach to my Beloved in very deed. To Jesus
must I come: short of the nearest and dearest intercourse with
Him my panting spirit cannot stay. Blessed Lord Jesus, be with
me, reveal Thyself, and abide with me all night, so that when I
awake I may be still with thee. I note that the dove brought in
her mouth an olive branch plucked off, the memorial of the past
day, and a prophecy of the future. Have I no pleasing record to
bring home? No pledge and earnest of lovingkindness yet to
come? Yes, my Lord, I present Thee my grateful acknowledgments
for tender mercies which have been new every morning and fresh
every evening; and now, I pray Thee, put forth Thy hand and
take Thy dove into Thy bosom.