Joyful Domesticity

C.H. Spurgeon’s “Morning And Evening”

Evening, October 22

“He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.”

John 16:15

There are times when all the promises and doctrines of the Bible are of no avail, unless a gracious hand shall apply them to us. We are thirsty, but too faint to crawl to the water-brook. When a soldier is wounded in battle it is of little use for him to know that there are those at the hospital who can bind up his wounds, and medicines there to ease all the pains which he now suffers: what he needs is to be carried thither, and to have the remedies applied. It is thus with our souls, and to meet this need there is one, even the Spirit of truth, who takes of the things of Jesus, and applies them to us. Think not that Christ hath placed his joys on heavenly shelves that we may climb up to them for ourselves, but he draws near, and sheds his peace abroad in our hearts. O Christian, if thou art tonight labouring under deep distresses, thy Father does not give thee promises and then leave thee to draw them up from the Word like buckets from a well, but the promises he has written in the Word he will write anew on your heart. He will manifest his love to you, and by his blessed Spirit, dispel your cares and troubles. Be it known unto thee, O mourner, that it is God’s prerogative to wipe every tear from the eye of his people. The good Samaritan did not say, “Here is the wine, and here is the oil for you;” he actually poured in the oil and the wine. So Jesus not only gives you the sweet wine of the promise, but holds the golden chalice to your lips, and pours the life-blood into your mouth. The poor, sick, way-worn pilgrim is not merely strengthened to walk, but he is borne on eagles’ wings. Glorious gospel! which provides everything for the helpless, which draws nigh to us when we cannot reach after it—brings us grace before we seek for grace! Here is as much glory in the giving as in the gift. Happy people who have the Holy Ghost to bring Jesus to them.

“Our Father”

by Martin Luther, 1539

 

1. Our Father, Thou in heaven above,

Who biddest us to dwell in love,

As brethren of one family,

To cry in every need to Thee,

Teach us no thoughtless word to say,

But from our inmost heart to pray.

 

2. Thy name be hallowed. Help us, Lord,

In purity to keep Thy Word,

That to the glory of thy name

We walk before Thee free from blame.

Let no false doctrine us pervert;

All poor, deluded souls convert.

 

3. Thy kingdom come. Thine let it be

In time and in eternity.

Let Thy good Spirit e’er be nigh

Our hearts with graces to supply.

Break Satan’s power, defeat his rage;

Preserve Thy Church from age to age.

 

4. Thy gracious will on earth be done

As ’tis in heaven before Thy throne;

Obedience in our weal and woe

And patience in all grief bestow.

Curb flesh and blood and every ill

That sets itself against Thy will.

 

5. Give us this day our daily bread

And let us all be clothed and fed.

From war and strife be our Defense,

From famine and from pestilence,

That we may live in godly peace,

Free from all care and avarice.

 

6. Forgive our sins, Lord, we implore,

Remove from us their burden sore,

As we their trespasses forgive

Who by offenses us do grieve.

Thus let us dwell in charity

And serve our brother willingly.

 

7. Into temptation lead us not.

When evil foes against us plot

And vex our souls on every hand,

Oh, give us strength that we may stand

Firm in the faith, a well-armed host,

Through comfort of the Holy Ghost!

 

8. From evil, Lord, deliver us;

The times and days are perilous.

Redeem us from eternal death,

And when we yield our dying breath,

Console us, grant us calm release,

And take our souls to Thee in peace.

 

9. Amen, that is, So shall it be.

Confirm our faith and hope in Thee

That we may doubt not, but believe

What here we ask we shall receive.

Thus in Thy name and at Thy word

We say: Amen. Oh, hear us, Lord! Amen.