December 29 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

1 Samuel 7:7–13

Devotional

The words “Thus far” seem like a hand that points in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, “thus far the LORD has helped!” Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honour, in dishonour, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, “Thus far the LORD has helped us!” We enjoy looking down a long avenue of trees. It’s delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of lush temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves. Even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness that bear up your joys. Are there no birds in those branches, singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received “thus far.”

But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes “thus far,” he is not yet at the end. There is still a distance to be navigated. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! there is more yet-awakening in Jesus’ likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise your “Ebenezer,” for—

He who has helped me hitherto
will help me all my journey through,
and give me daily cause to raise
new Ebenezers to his praise.
(John Newton, from the hymn, “Be Still My Heart, These Anxious Cares”)

When read in heaven’s light how glorious and marvellous a prospect will your “thus far” unfold to your grateful eye!

[December 29]

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