Spurgeon: August AM
* 08/15/AM
"Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide."
--Genesis 24:63
Very admirable was his occupation . If those who spend so
many hours in idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes,
could learn wisdom, they would find more profitable society and
more interesting engagements in meditation than in the vanities
which now have such charms for them. We should all know more,
live nearer to God, and grow in grace, if we were more alone.
Meditation chews the cud and extracts the real nutriment from
the mental food gathered elsewhere. When Jesus is the theme,
meditation is sweet indeed. Isaac found Rebecca while engaged in
private musings; many others have found their best beloved
there.
Very admirable was the choice of place . In the field we
have a study hung round with texts for thought. From the cedar
to the hyssop, from the soaring eagle down to the chirping
grasshopper, from the blue expanse of heaven to a drop of dew,
all things are full of teaching, and when the eye is divinely
opened, that teaching flashes upon the mind far more vividly
than from written books. Our little rooms are neither so
healthy, so suggestive, so agreeable, or so inspiring as the
fields. Let us count nothing common or unclean, but feel that
all created things point to their Maker, and the field will at
once be hallowed.
Very admirable was the season . The season of sunset as it
draws a veil over the day, befits that repose of the soul when
earthborn cares yield to the joys of heavenly communion. The
glory of the setting sun excites our wonder, and the solemnity
of approaching night awakens our awe. If the business of this
day will permit it, it will be well, dear reader, if you can
spare an hour to walk in the field at eventide, but if not, the
Lord is in the town too, and will meet with thee in thy chamber
or in the crowded street. Let thy heart go forth to meet Him.