Spurgeon: June PM
* 06/20/PM
"Straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him."
--Mark 1:18
When they heard the call of Jesus, Simon and Andrew obeyed at
once without demur. If we would always, punctually and with
resolute zeal, put in practice what we hear upon the spot, or at
the first fit occasion, our attendance at the means of grace,
and our reading of good books, could not fail to enrich us
spiritually. He will not lose his loaf who has taken care at
once to eat it, neither can he be deprived of the benefit of the
doctrine who has already acted upon it. Most readers and hearers
become moved so far as to purpose to amend; but, alas! the
proposal is a blossom which has not been knit, and therefore no
fruit comes of it; they wait, they waver, and then they forget,
till, like the ponds in nights of frost, when the sun shines by
day, they are only thawed in time to be frozen again. That fatal
to-morrow is blood-red with the murder of fair resolutions; it
is the slaughter-house of the innocents. We are very concerned
that our little book of "Evening Readings" should not be
fruitless, and therefore we pray that readers may not be readers
only, but doers, of the word. The practice of truth is the most
profitable reading of it . Should the reader be impressed with
any duty while perusing these pages, let him hasten to fulfil it
before the holy glow has departed from his soul, and let him
leave his nets, and all that he has, sooner than be found
rebellious to the Master's call. Do not give place to the devil
by delay! Haste while opportunity and quickening are in happy
conjunction. Do not be caught in your own nets, but break the
meshes of worldliness, and away where glory calls you. Happy is
the writer who shall meet with readers resolved to carry out his
teachings: his harvest shall be a hundredfold, and his Master
shall have great honour. Would to God that such might be our
reward upon these brief meditations and hurried hints. Grant it,
O Lord, unto thy servant!