Scripture
> And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
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> — Genesis 1:5 (ESV)
Devotional
The evening was “darkness” and the morning was “light,” and yet the two together are called by the name that is given to the light alone! This is somewhat remarkable, but it has an exact analogy in spiritual experience. In every believer there is darkness and light, and yet he is not to be named a sinner because there is sin in him, but he is to be named a saint because he possesses some degree of holiness. This will be a most comforting thought to those who are mourning their infirmities, and who ask, “Can I be a child of God while there is so much darkness in me?” Yes; for you, like the day, take not your name from the evening, but from the morning; and you are spoken of in the word of God as if you were even now perfectly holy as you will be soon. You are called the child of light, though there is darkness in you still. You are named after what is the predominating quality in the sight of God, which will one day be the only principle remaining. Observe that the evening comes first. Naturally we are darkness first in order of time, and the gloom is often first in our mournful apprehension, driving us to cry out in deep humiliation, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” The place of the morning is second, it dawns when grace overcomes nature. It is a blessed aphorism of John Bunyan, “That which is last, lasts forever.” That which is first, yields in due season to the last; but nothing comes after the last. So that though you are naturally darkness, when once you become light in the Lord, there is no evening to follow; “thy sun shall no more go down.” The first day in this life is an evening and a morning; but the second day, when we shall be with God, forever, shall be a day with no evening, but one, sacred, high, eternal noon.
Reflection
Spurgeon draws a beautiful parallel between the creation of the first day and the believer’s experience. We are named after the light (the morning), not the darkness (the evening), even though both are present. The evening of our natural state comes first, but the morning of grace is what defines us. And one day there will be no more evening—only eternal day.
What we might miss is the comfort this brings to struggling believers: God names us according to the light that is in us, not the darkness that remains.
Goad
Are you defining yourself by the remaining darkness or by the light of grace that God has placed in you? What would it look like to live today as one whose name is “child of light”?
Tie-In
The morning celebrates our present citizenship in heaven and the present delights we already enjoy as members of God’s household. The evening comforts us that even while darkness remains, we are named after the light, and one day the evening will be gone forever. Both point to the present reality of our heavenly identity and the future certainty of its full realization. We are already citizens; we are already children of light; and we are already being prepared for the day when there will be no more night.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with AI-assisted reflection and formatting to maintain daily consistency and reach.
If these words have stirred something in your heart today, we invite you to sit with it. Share how God met you in the comments or reach out to us.
As we build out the deeper tables of Milk, Solid Food, and Meat for every stage of the journey, know that you are welcome here.
NewGrapes Ministries
Making disciples, not pew-fillers.
Soli Deo Gloria.