Evening, January 29, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“The dove came to him toward evening.” — Genesis 8:11

Blessed be the Lord for another day of mercy, even though I am now weary with its work. To the preserver of men lift I my song of gratitude. The dove found no rest outside of the ark, and therefore returned to it; and my soul has learned even more fully than ever, this day, that there is no satisfaction to be found in earthly things–God alone can give rest to my spirit. As to my business, my possessions, my family, my attainments, these are all well enough in their own way, but they cannot fulfill the desires of my immortal nature. “Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” It was at the quiet hour, when the gates of the day were closing, that with weary wings the dove came back to the master: O Lord, enable me this evening in that way to return to Jesus. She could not endure to spend a night hovering over the restless waste, nor can I bear to be even for another hour away from Jesus, the resting place of my heart, the home of my spirit. She did not merely alight upon the roof of the ark, she “came in to him;” even my longing spirit would look to the secret place of rest in the Lord, pierce to the center of truth, enter within the veil, and reach to my Beloved indeed. To Jesus I must come: my longing spirit cannot rest short of the nearest and dearest communion with him. Blessed Lord Jesus, be with me, reveal yourself, and abide with me all night, so that when I awake I may be still with you. I note that the dove brought in her mouth an olive branch plucked off, the memorial of the past day, and a prophecy of the future. Have I no pleasing account to bring home? No token and sign of loving kindness yet to come? Yes, my Lord, I present you my grateful acknowledgments for loving mercies which have been new every morning and fresh every evening; and now, I pray, put forth your hand and take your dove into your embrace.