Evening, September 22, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“I call to You when my heart is faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” — Psalm 61:2

Most of us know what it is to be faint in heart, overwhelmed; emptied as when a man wipes a dish and turns it upside down; blown over and submerged like a vessel mastered by the storm. Discoveries of inward immorality will do this, if the Lord permits the great depths of our decadence to become troubled and cast up mire and dirt. Disappointments and heartbreak will do this when breaker after breaker rolls over us, and we are like a broken shell hurled to and from by the surf. Blessed be God that at such seasons we have an all-sufficient support; our God is the harbor of weather-beaten sails, the hospice of forlorn pilgrims. He is higher than we are, his mercy higher than our sins, his love higher than our thoughts. It is pitiful to see men putting their trust in something lower than themselves; but our confidence is fixed upon an exceeding high and glorious Lord. Since he never changes he is a Rock, and a high Rock, because the cyclones which overwhelm us roll far beneath at his feet; he is not disturbed by them, but rules them at his will. If we get under the shelter of this lofty Rock we may defy the hurricane; all is calm under the cover of that towering cliff. Alas! The troubled mind is often cast in such confusion that we need piloting to this divine shelter. Hence the prayer of the text. O Lord, our God, by your Holy Spirit, teach us the way of faith, lead us into your rest. The wind blows us out to sea, the helm won’t answer to our feeble hand; you, you alone can steer us over the bar, between the sunken rocks ahead, and safe into the fair haven. How dependent we are upon you–we need you to bring us to you. To be wisely directed and steered into safety and peace is your gift, and yours alone. This night, be pleased to deal well with your servants.