Spurgeon: October AM
* 10/18/AM
"Thy paths drop fatness."
--Psalm 65:11
Many are "the paths of the Lord" which "drop fatness," but an
especial one is the path of prayer . No believer, who is much
in the closet, will have need to cry, "My leanness, my leanness;
woe unto me." Starving souls live at a distance from the mercy-
seat, and become like the parched fields in times of drought.
Prevalence with God in wrestling prayer is sure to make the
believer strong--if not happy. The nearest place to the gate of
heaven is the throne of the heavenly grace. Much alone, and you
will have much assurance; little alone with Jesus, your religion
will be shallow, polluted with many doubts and fears, and not
sparkling with the joy of the Lord. Since the soul-enriching
path of prayer is open to the very weakest saint; since no high
attainments are required; since you are not bidden to come
because you are an advanced saint, but freely invited if you be
a saint at all; see to it, dear reader, that you are often in
the way of private devotion. Be much on your knees, for so
Elijah drew the rain upon famished Israel's fields.
There is another especial path dropping with fatness to those
who walk therein, it is the secret walk of communion. Oh! the
delights of fellowship with Jesus! Earth hath no words which can
set forth the holy calm of a soul leaning on Jesus' bosom. Few
Christians understand it, they live in the lowlands and seldom
climb to the top of Nebo: they live in the outer court, they
enter not the holy place, they take not up the privilege of
priesthood. At a distance they see the sacrifice, but they sit
not down with the priest to eat thereof, and to enjoy the fat of
the burnt offering. But, reader, sit thou ever under the shadow
of Jesus; come up to that palm tree, and take hold of the
branches thereof; let thy beloved be unto thee as the apple-tree
among the trees of the wood, and thou shalt be satisfied as with
marrow and fatness. O Jesus, visit us with Thy salvation!