THE NIGHT COMETH

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JULY 2

 

John 9:4

I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day:

 the night cometh, when no man can work.

 
Night is the emblem of death.
 
There is generally something dreary and gloomy in the night, and so there is in death.
 
When death comes, all our opportunities of doing good in this world are over; let us therefore improve the present.
 
When death comes, we must bid our friends farewell; let us therefore treat them, as those that must soon leave them.
 
When death comes, we shall go home to rest; our bodies will find a home in the grave; and our souls will find a home in the presence of Jesus, and enjoy the sweetest repose and satisfaction there.
 
“The night cometh,” it is not far off; it may overtake us suddenly; we are therefore warned that we may be ready.
 
Let us endeavour as believers in Jesus, to realize the fact- let us redeem the time- let us be ready for the night, having our work done, our limbs weary, our appetite for heavenly things sharp, and feeling glad to go home.
 
The night of death is preparatory to the morning of the resurrection; then we shall arise refreshed, strong, glorious, immortal.
 

O glorious hour! O bless’d abode!

I shall be near and like my God;

And flesh and sin no more control

The sacred pleasures of my soul.

 
James Smith