01/03/2018
Charles Spurgeon
Morning March 2
“But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his Coulter,
and his axe, and his mattock.”
1 Samuel 13:20
We are engaged in a great war with the Philistines of evil. Every weapon within our reach must
be used. Preaching, teaching, praying, giving, all must be brought into action, and talents which
have been thought too mean for service, must now be employed. Coulter, and axe, and mattock,
may all be useful in slaying Philistines; rough tools may deal hard blows, and killing need not be
elegantly done, so long as it is done effectually. Each moment of time, in season or out of season;
each fragment of ability, educated or untutored; each opportunity, favourable or unfavourable, must
be used, for our foes are many and our force but slender.
Most of our tools want sharpening; we need quickness of perception, tact, energy, promptness,
in a word, complete adaptation for the Lord’s work. Practical common sense is a very scarce thing
among the conductors of Christian enterprises. We might learn from our enemies if we would, and
so make the Philistines sharpen our weapons. This morning let us note enough to sharpen our zeal
during this day by the aid of the Holy Spirit. See the energy of the Papists, how they compass sea
and land to make one proselyte, are they to monopolize all the earnestness? Mark the heathen
devotees, what tortures they endure in the service of their idols! are they alone to exhibit patience
and self-sacrifice? Observe the prince of darkness, how persevering in his endeavours, how unabashed in his attempts, how daring in his plans, how thoughtful in his plots, how energetic in
all! The devils are united as one man in their infamous rebellion, while we believers in Jesus are
divided in our service of God, and scarcely ever work with unanimity. O that from Satan’s infernal
industry we may learn to go about like good Samaritans, seeking whom we may bless!