Spurgeon: October PM
* 10/26/PM
"All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto
the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return
again."
--Ecclesiastes 1:7
Everything sublunary is on the move, time knows nothing of
rest. The solid earth is a rolling ball, and the great sun
himself a star obediently fulfilling its course around some
greater luminary. Tides move the sea, winds stir the airy
ocean, friction wears the rock: change and death rule
everywhere. The sea is not a miser's storehouse for a wealth of
waters, for as by one force the waters flow into it, by another
they are lifted from it. Men are born but to die: everything is
hurry, worry, and vexation of spirit. Friend of the unchanging
Jesus, what a joy it is to reflect upon thy changeless heritage;
thy sea of bliss which will be for ever full, since God Himself
shall pour eternal rivers of pleasure into it. We seek an
abiding city beyond the skies, and we shall not be disappointed.
The passage before us may well teach us gratitude. Father Ocean
is a great receiver, but he is a generous distributor. What the
rivers bring him he returns to the earth in the form of clouds
and rain. That man is out of joint with the universe who takes
all but makes no return. To give to others is but sowing seed
for ourselves. He who is so good a steward as to be willing to
use his substance for his Lord, shall be entrusted with more.
Friend of Jesus, art thou rendering to Him according to the
benefit received? Much has been given thee, what is thy fruit?
Hast thou done all? Canst thou not do more? To be selfish is to
be wicked. Suppose the ocean gave up none of its watery
treasure, it would bring ruin upon our race. God forbid that any
of us should follow the ungenerous and destructive policy of
living unto ourselves. Jesus pleased not Himself. All fulness
dwells in Him, but of His fulness have all we received. O for
Jesu's spirit, that henceforth we may live not unto ourselves!