Evening, May 12, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.  I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again.” — Genesis 46:3-4

Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his father’s sojournds, and dwelling among godless strangers. It was a new scenario, and likely to be a trying one: who shall venture among couriers of a foreign monarch without anxiety? Yet the way was evidently appointed for him, and therefore he resolved to go. This is frequently the position of believers now—they are called to perils and temptations altogether untried; in such seasons let them imitate Jacob’s example by offering sacrifices of prayer to God, and seeking his direction. They should not take a step until they have waited upon the Lord for his blessing: then they will have Jacob’s companion to be their friend and helper. How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is with us in all our ways, and lowers himself to come down into our humiliation and exile with us! Even beyond the ocean our Father’s love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to go where Jehovah promises his presence; even the valley of death’s shade grows bright with the radiance of his assurance. Marching onwards with faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob’s promise. They shall be brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the chambers of death. Jacob’s seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so shall all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulation of life, and the terror of death. Let us exercise confidence like Jacob’s. “Fear not,” is the Lord’s command and his divine encouragement to those who at his bidding are launching upon new seas; the divine presence and promise of preservation do not permit so much as one unbelieving fear. Without our God we should fear to move; but when he bids us to, it would be dangerous to stay put. Reader, go forward, and fear not.