December 18 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Ruth 2:1–10

Devotional

Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean today in the broad field of God’s promises. Here is an abundance of precious promises which exactly meet your needs.

Take this one: “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench” (Mt. 12:20). Doesn’t that suit your case? A reed—helpless, insignificant, and weak; a bruised reed out of which no music can come; bruised and weaker than weakness itself—and yet he will not break you. On the contrary, he will restore and strengthen you. You are like the faintly burning wick—neither light nor warmth can come from you. But he will not quench you. He will blow with his sweet breath of mercy until he fans you to a flame.

Would you glean another ear? “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). What soft words! Your heart is tender and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaks so gently to you. Will you not obey him and come to him even now?

Take another ear of corn: “Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel” (Isa. 41:14). How can you be afraid with such a wonderful assurance as this?

You may gather ten thousand such golden ears as these! “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isa. 44:22). Or this, “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isa 1:18). Or this, “The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).

Our Master’s field is very rich; behold the handfuls. See, there they lie before you, poor timid believer! Gather them up, make them your own, for Jesus bids you take them. Do not be afraid, only believe! Grasp these sweet promises, thresh them out by meditation and feed on them with joy.

[Aug 1]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.