Charles Haddon Spurgeon: Presumption and Smooth Places

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As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. Psalm 30:6-7

“Give a man wealth; let his ships bring home continually rich freights; let the winds and waves appear to be his servants to bear his vessels across the bosom of the mighty deep; let his lands yield abundantly: let the weather be propitious to his crops; let uninterrupted success attend him; let him stand among men as a successful merchant; let him enjoy continued health; allow him with braced nerve and brilliant eye to march through the world, and live happily; give him the buoyant spirit; let him have the song perpetually on his lips; let his eye be ever sparkling with joy — and the natural consequence of such an easy state to any man, let him be the best Christian who ever breathed, will be presumption; even David said, “I shall never be moved;” and we are not better than David, nor half so good.

Brother, beware of the smooth places of the way; if you are treading them, or if the way be rough, thank God for it. If God should always rock us in the cradle of prosperity; if we were always dandled on the knees of fortune; if we had not some stain on the alabaster pillar; if there were not a few clouds in the sky; if we had not some bitter drops in the wine of this life, we should become intoxicated with pleasure, we should dream “we stand;” and stand we should, but it would be upon a pinnacle; like the man asleep upon the mast, each moment we should be in jeopardy. We bless God, then, for our afflictions; we thank him for our changes; we extol his name for losses of property; for we feel that had he not chastened us thus, we might have become too secure. Continued worldly prosperity is a fiery trial.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon in Morning and Evening: Daily Readings (Grand Rapids, MI: CCEL) morning reading for 10 March. This is a classic devotional with short devotionals to read twice daily. Click to download the PDF. As we find ourselves now embarking on the second half of 2018 (Can you believe it?), I looked for the theme of abundance in this work and found keen wisdom for us about presumption and smooth places.

The world aims at wealth and prosperity, preserving comfort and smooth living, and avoiding difficult times at all costs. All this presumes that people are in control and positions them for self-indulgence and a host of related sins! No wonder Spurgeon says “Beware” and rightly directs us to the words of David in Psalm 30 to remind us that life has highs and lows linked only to the favor of God. Since that’s true, we must focus on the Lord rather than lands or losses!

What does this have to do with generosity? We follow the world’s pattern if we think giving flows from our capacity. It does not. Our lands or losses are determined by the Lord. All we choose is what to do with what the Lord entrusts us. When we use his provision faithfully, He often supplies more. The key, which is why it’s a fiery trial, is not to worship the provision, but rather the Provider, by obediently putting to work all He supplies to maintain a posture of dependence.