Scripture
Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
— Psalm 120:5 (ESV)
Devotional
As a Christian you have to live in the midst of an ungodly world, and it is of little use for you to cry “Woe is me.” Jesus did not pray that you should be taken out of the world, and what he did not pray for, you need not desire. Better far in the Lord’s strength to meet the difficulty, and glorify him in it. The enemy is ever on the watch to detect inconsistency in your conduct; be therefore very holy. Remember that the eyes of all are upon you, and that more is expected from you than from other men. Strive to give no occasion for blame. Let your goodness be the only fault they can discover in you. Like Daniel, compel them to say of you, “We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Seek to be useful as well as consistent. Perhaps you think, “If I were in a more favourable position I might serve the Lord’s cause, but I cannot do any good where I am”; but the worse the people are among whom you live, the more need have they of your exertions; if they be crooked, the more necessity that you should set them straight; and if they be perverse, the more need have you to turn their proud hearts to the truth. Where should the physician be but where there are many sick? Where is honour to be won by the soldier but in the hottest fire of the battle? And when weary of the strife and sin that meets you on every hand, consider that all the saints have endured the same trial. They were not carried on beds of down to heaven, and you must not expect to travel more easily than they. They had to hazard their lives unto the death in the high places of the field, and you will not be crowned till you also have endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Therefore, “stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
Reflection
Meshech is not a reason to leave the field. Jesus left you in the world on purpose. The sick need the physician, and the crooked need a straight life standing near them. You will not be carried to glory on a bed of down. The gospel still holds: He is with you in the tents of Kedar, and His strength is enough for the day.
Goad
Where are you still praying to be removed this morning, instead of standing fast and being useful right where the sick actually are?
Tie-In
Morning stays in Meshech and glorifies Him there. Evening stops prying into the springs of the sea. Stay in the world. Love the Lord you cannot fully map. Presence and affection, not escape and speculation.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with a brief reflection to help today’s reader.
If these words have stirred something, sit with it.
NewGrapes Ministries. Making disciples, not pew-fillers. Soli Deo Gloria.