I was reading Charles H. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotional, and this morning's was so well-put and convicting, I decided to share it with you all.
March 27, Morning
“Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.” -Matthew 26:56
"He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from him in the very beginning of his sufferings. This is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left to themselves; they are but sheep at the best, and they flee when the wolf cometh. They had all been warned of the danger, and had promised to die rather than leave their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden panic, and took to their heels. It may be, that I, at the opening of this day, have braced up my mind to bear a trial for the Lord’s sake, and I imagine myself to be certain to exhibit perfect fidelity; but let me be very jealous of myself, lest having the same evil heart of unbelief, I should depart from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one thing to promise, and quite another to perform. It would have been to their eternal honour to have stood at Jesus’ side right manfully; they fled from honour; may I be kept from imitating them! Where else could they have been so safe as near their Master, who could presently call for twelve legions of angels? They fled from their true safety. O God, let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the coward brave. The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the altar when the Lord wills it. These very apostles who were timid as hares, grew to be bold as lions after the Spirit had descended upon them, and even so the Holy Spirit can make my recreant spirit brave to confess my Lord and witness for his truth.
What anguish must have filled the Saviour as he saw his friends so faithless! This was one bitter ingredient in his cup; but that cup is drained dry; let me not put another drop in it. If I forsake my Lord, I shall crucify him afresh, and put him to an open shame. Keep me, O blessed Spirit, from an end so shameful."
(End of quote; all underlining is mine and not from actual quote)
As soon as I read the part about "It is one thing to promise, and quite another to perform", I was hit square between the eyes with the truth that I was behaving just like the Apostles did in Matthew. I had promised my Savior that I would stop sinning and that I would give up everything, take up my cross, and follow Him. But carrying out that promise as a saved soul in a sinner's flesh is far easier said than done. My prayer this morning was that God would help me to put on the armor He has provided for His sheep and to battle my sin, with victory just on the horizon.
The final part I underlined really encouraged and convicted me, and I feel quickened afresh to live throughout today for God's glory. May the same be for you. God bless!
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