xxvi. 9. _With my soul I desired thee in the night._
Night appears to be a time peculiarly favourable to devotion. Its
solemn stillness helps to free the mind from that perpetual din which
the cares of the world will bring around it; and the stars looking
down from heaven upon us shine as if they would attract us up to God.
But I leave that thought altogether; I shall speak,--
I. TO CONFIRMED CHRISTIANS. 1. The Christian man has not always a
bright shining sun; he has seasons of darkness and night. The light
is sometimes eclipsed. At certain periods clouds and darkness cover
the sun. The best of God's saints have their nights. Sometimes it is
a night over the whole Church at once. Sometimes the darkness over
the soul arises from temporal distresses, sometimes from spiritual
discouragements. 2. A Christian man's religion will keep its colour
in the night. Men will follow Christ when every one cries Hosanna!
Demas and Mr. Hold-the-world, and a great many others, are very pious
people in easy times. They will always go with Christ by daylight,
and will keep Him company so long as fashion gives religion the
doubtful benefit of its patronage; but they will not go with Him in
the night. But the best test of a Christian is the night. If he only
remained steadfast by daylight, when every coward is bold, where
would he be? There would be no beauty in his courage, no glory in his
bravery. There is full many a Christian whose piety did not burn much
when he was in prosperity; but it will be known in adversity. Grind
the diamond a little, and you shall see it glisten. 3. All that the
Christian wants in the night is his God. I cannot understand how it
is, unless it is to be accounted for by the corruption of our spirit,
that when everything goes well with us we are setting our affection
first on one object and then on another, and that desire which is as
insatiable as death and as deep as hell never rests satisfied. But if
you place a Christian in trouble, you will find that he does not want
gold then, nor carnal honour; he wants his God. 4. There are times
when all the saint can do is to desire. The more evidences a man has
of his piety the better. Many witnesses will carry our case better at
the bar than a few. But there are seasons when a Christian cannot get
any. He will have lost assurance. But there is one witness that very
seldom is gagged, even in the night, and that is, "I have desired
Thee--I have desired Thee in the night."
II. TO NEWLY AWAKENED SOULS. I will now endeavour to answer three
questions. 1. How am I to know that my desires are proofs of a work
of grace in my soul? (1.) By their _constancy._ Many a man when he
hears a stirring sermon has a strong desire to be saved, but he goes
home and forgets it. A certain measure of constancy is essential to
its real value as evidence of a Divine work. (2.) By their
_efficacy._ If they lead you into real "works meet for repentance,"
then they come from God. Seeking will not do; there must be striving.
Not good intentions only, but practical desires that lead you to give
up your sins. (3.) By their _urgency._ You want to be saved some of
you, but it must be this day next week. But when the Holy Ghost
speak, He says _"To-day."_ Now or never. 2. If I have desired God,
why have I not obtained my desires before now? (1.) You have hardly a
right to ask the question. Perhaps God has not granted your desire
because He designs to show you more of your wickedness, more of the
blackness of sin, that your longings may be quickened, that He may
display more fully the riches of His grace at the last. (2.) Perhaps
it has come already. Some of you are pardoned and do not know it. Do
not expect miracles and visions. (3.) Will God grant my desire at
last? Verily. His refusal would dishonour His word. You would be the
first that ever perished desiring, praying, trusting in
Jesus.--_C. H. Spurgeon, New Park Street Pulpit,_ 1859, p. 237.