Morning, April 24, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Now because of all this we are making an agreement [covenant, KJV] in writing.” — Nehemiah 9:38

There are many occasions in our experience when we may very correctly, and with benefit, renew our covenant with God. After recovery from sickness when, like Hezekiah, we have had a new term of years added to our life, we may rightly do it. After any deliverance from trouble, when our joy breaks forth anew, let us again visit the foot of the cross, and renew our dedication. Especially, let us do this after any sin which has grieved the Holy Spirit, or brought dishonor upon the cause of God; let us then look to that blood which can make us whiter than snow, and again offer ourselves to the Lord. We should not only let our troubles confirm our dedication to God, but our prosperity should do the same. If we ever meet with occasions in which God has “crowned us with loving kindness and compassion,” then, surely, if he has crowned us, we ought also to crown our God; let us bring forth anew all the jewels of the divine regalia which have been stored in the jewel-closet of our heart, and let our God sit upon the throne of our love, arrayed in royal apparel.

If we would learn to profit by our prosperity, we should not need so much adversity. If we would gather from a kiss all the good it might confer upon us, we should not so often suffer under the rod. Have we lately received some unexpected blessing? Has the Lord set us in a place of comfort? Can we sing of multiplied mercies? Then this is the day to put our hand upon the horns of the altar, and say, “Bind me here, my God; bind me here with cords, even forever.” Since we need the fulfilment of new promises from God, let us offer renewed prayers that our old vows may not be dishonored. Let us this morning make with him a unquestionable covenant, because of the sufferings of Jesus which for the last month we have been considering with gratitude.