Evening, September 2, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” — John 4:48

A craving after marvels was a symptom of the unhealthy state of men’s minds in our Lord’s day; they refused solid nourishment, and yearned after mere wonder. The gospel which they so greatly needed they would not have; the miracles which Jesus did not always choose to give they eagerly demanded. Many these days also must see signs and wonders, or they will not believe. Some have said in their heart, “I must reach a deep, awful place in my soul, or I never will believe in Jesus.” But what if you never should feel it, as probably you never may? Will you go to hell out of spite against God, because he will not treat you like another? One has said to himself, “If I had a dream, or if I could feel a sudden shock of the supernatural, then I would believe.” In this way you undeserving mortals imagine that my Lord is to be dictated to by you! You are beggars at his gate, asking for mercy, and you think you need to draw up rules and regulations as to how he shall give that mercy. Do you think that he will submit to this? My Master has a generous spirit, but he also has a righteous kingly heart; he refuses our commandment, and maintains his sovereignty to act. Why, dear reader, if such be your case, do you crave for signs and wonders? Is not the gospel its own sign and wonder? Is not this a miracle of miracles, that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”? Surely that precious word, “and let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost,” and that solemn promise,” and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out,” are better than signs and wonders! A truthful Savior ought to be believed. He is truth itself. Why will you ask proof of the authenticity of One who cannot lie? The devils themselves declared him to be the Son of God; will you mistrust him?