Tag Archives: christianity

Uncategorized

Discovering God’s Will – Charles Stanley

Leave a comment

 

Psalm 119:105-106

Life involves both small daily choices and large consequential ones. Including God in our decision-making is always the wisest course of action. The Scripture that we have memorized is something the Holy Spirit uses to help us discover God’s will.

The pattern I have found beneficial in making decisions can also help you with choices regarding relationships, finances, health, employment, or other important areas. The first step involves assessing the heart, mind, and will. To receive the Lord’s direction, we need a clean heart, a clear mind, and a surrendered will. Sinful habits can cloud thinking and keep us from understanding His plan. Confessing our sins and turning from them brings cleansing and clarity (1 John 1:9). A stubborn will that says, “I want my way” prevents us from heeding God’s instruction. Instead, we need to surrender our desires and commit ourselves to saying yes to His plan.

The second step is to wait patiently on the Lord for His answer. It takes courage to stand firm, especially when others are telling us what they think we should do. Our own emotions may be pushing us to act now, but we must resist moving ahead of God. To be patient means trusting the Lord while we wait to learn His answer and discover His timing.

Discerning God’s plan requires preparation of our heart, mind, and will. It also often requires patience. During our time of waiting, we are to follow His known will—to be a faithful servant in His kingdom, loving Him with our whole heart, and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-39).

Uncategorized

The Manner of Waiting – Ravi Zacharias

Leave a comment

Ravi Z

Waiting is never easy. In our day of high speed internet, instant messaging, and fast food, waiting for anything longer than ten minutes can seem like an eternity. I remember the days as a child, when the seemingly endless fall season turned the corner towards Christmas day, how difficult it was for me and my siblings to wait to open our presents. We had such a hard time waiting that we would often coax our parents into allowing us to open some, or all of our presents on Christmas Eve. We couldn’t wait any longer, and our parents couldn’t abide another day of our whining and begging!

For Christians, the season of Advent begins a season of waiting. It marks the beginning of the liturgical church year and asks for expectant waiting of those who anticipate the coming of Christ, the King. Each new Advent season stirs expectations as Christians wait. How will the coming Lord be experienced this Advent season? Yet, perhaps more importantly, the season asks those who wait to reflect on the manner of waiting. Waiting, by its very nature, is demanding and difficult for even the most patient person. Like children who clamor to open their presents because they cannot wait any longer, we often wait impatiently, or can fall into despair as the season of waiting seems to have no end in sight.

Waiting for God is difficult; the Hebrew Scriptures tells of a whole history of Israel in waiting; waiting in the wilderness to enter the Promised Land, waiting for a king, waiting in exile for return to the land of Israel, and waiting for God to deliver them from all their oppressors. The psalmists elaborate this cry and give voice to all who cry out waiting: “How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?”

Imagine, then, how their hearts stirred with expectation when a glimmer of promise arose. The prophet Isaiah cried out: “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low…Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together” (Isaiah 40:3-5). Yet, generations came and went and the years ebbed and flowed with no sign of the promised one. Israel went into exile, and the voice of the prophets became silent. Would there be a way in the wilderness, and a smooth path cut through the desert? Or would God leave the people as exiles in the wastelands?

For over two-thousand years since that time, generations have seen Advent seasons come and go, each year igniting hope and expectation as Christians anticipate Christ’s return. Unfortunately, as can happen, human beings are apt to lose hope and heart in waiting. We grow tired and weary, and we like doubters and skeptics of old ask, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). The trial in the exile of waiting involves clinging to hope and not growing weary or faint, to hold on rather than to give up. For those who would wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.

The Advent season calls all who would watch and wait to expect the Lord’s return ultimately, but also to look for the ways in which his presence comes to strengthen and uphold all who traverse every season of Advent waiting.

Margaret Manning is a member of the speaking and writing team at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Seattle, Washington.

Uncategorized

Secure Saving Faith – Charles Stanley

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Those who believe salvation can be lost often ask an insightful question about the relationship between salvation and faith. The question goes something like this: If our salvation is gained through believing in Christ, doesn’t it make sense that salvation can be lost if we quit believing?

To answer this question, we must see what saves us. Paul tells us that we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8–9). The instrument of salvation is grace. God came up with a plan and carried it out through Christ. We didn’t take part in it; we didn’t deserve any part of it. It was grace from start to finish. We are saved by grace through faith. “Through faith” is important, but often misunderstood. “Through” is translated from the Greek word dia, which carries the idea of “means” or “agency.” Faith was the agent whereby God was able to apply His grace to the life of the sinner.

Faith is simply the way we say yes to God’s free gift of eternal life. Faith and salvation are not one and the same any more than a gift and the hand that receives it are the same. Salvation stands independently of faith. Consequently, God does not require a constant attitude of faith in order to be saved—only an act of faith in Christ.

You and I are not saved because we have enduring faith. Faith is not a power we tap into or a button we push to prod God into action. Rather, faith is confidence that God will do what He has promised. We are saved because we’ve expressed trust that the Lord Jesus has really saved us.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

CharlesSpurgeon

Morning  “Thou art all fair, my love.” / Song of Solomon 4:7

The Lord’s admiration of his Church is very wonderful, and his description of

her beauty is very glowing. She is not merely fair, but “all fair.” He views

her in himself, washed in his sin-atoning blood and clothed in his meritorious

righteousness, and he considers her to be full of comeliness and beauty. No

wonder that such is the case, since it is but his own perfect excellency that

he admires; for the holiness, glory, and perfection of his Church are his own

glorious garments on the back of his own well-beloved spouse. She is not

simply pure, or well-proportioned; she is positively lovely and fair! She has

actual merit! Her deformities of sin are removed; but more, she has through

her Lord obtained a meritorious righteousness by which an actual beauty is

conferred upon her. Believers have a positive righteousness given to them when

they become “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). Nor is the Church barely

lovely, she is superlatively so. Her Lord styles her “Thou fairest among

women.” She has a real worth and excellence which cannot be rivalled by all

the nobility and royalty of the world. If Jesus could exchange his elect bride

for all the queens and empresses of earth, or even for the angels in heaven,

he would not, for he puts her first and foremost–“fairest among women.” Like

the moon she far outshines the stars. Nor is this an opinion which he is

ashamed of, for he invites all men to hear it. He sets a “behold” before it, a

special note of exclamation, inviting and arresting attention. “Behold, thou

art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair” (Song of Sol. 4:1). His opinion he

publishes abroad even now, and one day from the throne of his glory he will

avow the truth of it before the assembled universe. “Come, ye blessed of my

Father” (Matt. 25:34), will be his solemn affirmation of the loveliness of his

elect.

 

Evening  “Behold, all is vanity.” / Ecclesiastes 1:14

Nothing can satisfy the entire man but the Lord’s love and the Lord’s own

self. Saints have tried to anchor in other roadsteads, but they have been

driven out of such fatal refuges. Solomon, the wisest of men, was permitted to

make experiments for us all, and to do for us what we must not dare to do for

ourselves. Here is his testimony in his own words: “So I was great, and

increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom

remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I

withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour:

and this was my portion of all my labour. Then I looked on all the works that

my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and,

behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under

the sun.” “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” What! the whole of it vanity? O

favoured monarch, is there nothing in all thy wealth? Nothing in that wide

dominion reaching from the river even to the sea? Nothing in Palmyra’s

glorious palaces? Nothing in the house of the forest of Lebanon? In all thy

music and dancing, and wine and luxury, is there nothing? “Nothing,” he says,

“but weariness of spirit.” This was his verdict when he had trodden the whole

round of pleasure. To embrace our Lord Jesus, to dwell in his love, and be

fully assured of union with him–this is all in all. Dear reader, you need not

try other forms of life in order to see whether they are better than the

Christian’s: if you roam the world around, you will see no sights like a sight

of the Saviour’s face; if you could have all the comforts of life, if you lost

your Saviour, you would be wretched; but if you win Christ, then should you

rot in a dungeon, you would find it a paradise; should you live in obscurity,

or die with famine, you will yet be satisfied with favour and full of the

goodness of the Lord.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

CharlesSpurgeon

Morning  “Thou hast made summer and winter.” / Psalm 74:17

My soul begin this wintry month with thy God. The cold snows and the piercing

winds all remind thee that he keeps his covenant with day and night, and tend

to assure thee that he will also keep that glorious covenant which he has made

with thee in the person of Christ Jesus. He who is true to his Word in the

revolutions of the seasons of this poor sin-polluted world, will not prove

unfaithful in his dealings with his own well-beloved Son.

Winter in the soul is by no means a comfortable season, and if it be upon thee

just now it will be very painful to thee: but there is this comfort, namely,

that the Lord makes it. He sends the sharp blasts of adversity to nip the buds

of expectation: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes over the once verdant

meadows of our joy: he casteth forth his ice like morsels freezing the streams

of our delight. He does it all, he is the great Winter King, and rules in the

realms of frost, and therefore thou canst not murmur. Losses, crosses,

heaviness, sickness, poverty, and a thousand other ills, are of the Lord’s

sending, and come to us with wise design. Frosts kill noxious insects, and put

a bound to raging diseases; they break up the clods, and sweeten the soil. O

that such good results would always follow our winters of affliction!

How we prize the fire just now! how pleasant is its cheerful glow! Let us in

the same manner prize our Lord, who is the constant source of warmth and

comfort in every time of trouble. Let us draw nigh to him, and in him find joy

and peace in believing. Let us wrap ourselves in the warm garments of his

promises, and go forth to labours which befit the season, for it were ill to

be as the sluggard who will not plough by reason of the cold; for he shall beg

in summer and have nothing.

 

Evening  “O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful

works to the children of men.” / Psalm 107:8

If we complained less, and praised more, we should be happier, and God would

be more glorified. Let us daily praise God for common mercies–common as we

frequently call them, and yet so priceless, that when deprived of them we are

ready to perish. Let us bless God for the eyes with which we behold the sun,

for the health and strength to walk abroad, for the bread we eat, for the

raiment we wear. Let us praise him that we are not cast out among the

hopeless, or confined amongst the guilty; let us thank him for liberty, for

friends, for family associations and comforts; let us praise him, in fact, for

everything which we receive from his bounteous hand, for we deserve little,

and yet are most plenteously endowed. But, beloved, the sweetest and the

loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love. God’s

redeeming acts towards his chosen are forever the favourite themes of their

praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of

thanksgiving. We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions,

uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged. We have

been led to the cross of Christ–our shackles of guilt have been broken off;

we are no longer slaves, but children of the living God, and can antedate the

period when we shall be presented before the throne without spot or wrinkle or

any such thing. Even now by faith we wave the palm-branch and wrap ourselves

about with the fair linen which is to be our everlasting array, and shall we

not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer? Child of God, canst thou

be silent? Awake, awake, ye inheritors of glory, and lead your captivity

captive, as ye cry with David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is

within me, bless his holy name.” Let the new month begin with new songs.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

Morning  “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people … Thou shalt

in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” / Leviticus

19:16-17

Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer,

and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or

false, we are by this precept of God’s Word forbidden to spread it. The

reputations of the Lord’s people should be very precious in our sight, and we

should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name

of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in

pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah’s wise

sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful

curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence

from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be

this our family rule, and our personal bond–Speak evil of no man.

The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and prescribes the way in

which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face,

not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike,

and under God’s blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then

we must lay the greater stress upon our conscience, and keep ourselves to the

work, lest by suffering sin upon our friend we become ourselves partakers of

it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate

warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a

gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in his warning given to

Peter, the prayer with which he preceded it, and the gentle way in which he

bore with Peter’s boastful denial that he needed such a caution.

 

Evening   “Spices for anointing oil.” / Exodus 35:8

Much use was made of this anointing oil under the law, and that which it

represents is of primary importance under the gospel. The Holy Spirit, who

anoints us for all holy service, is indispensable to us if we would serve the

Lord acceptably. Without his aid our religious services are but a vain

oblation, and our inward experience is a dead thing. Whenever our ministry is

without unction, what miserable stuff it becomes! nor are the prayers,

praises, meditations, and efforts of private Christians one jot superior. A

holy anointing is the soul and life of piety, its absence the most grievous of

all calamities. To go before the Lord without anointing is as though some

common Levite had thrust himself into the priest’s office–his ministrations

would rather have been sins than services. May we never venture upon hallowed

exercises without sacred anointings. They drop upon us from our glorious Head;

from his anointing we who are as the skirts of his garments partake of a

plenteous unction. Choice spices were compounded with rarest art of the

apothecary to form the anointing oil, to show forth to us how rich are all the

influences of the Holy Spirit. All good things are found in the divine

Comforter. Matchless consolation, infallible instruction, immortal quickening,

spiritual energy, and divine sanctification all lie compounded with other

excellencies in that sacred eye-salve, the heavenly anointing oil of the Holy

Spirit. It imparts a delightful fragrance to the character and person of the

man upon whom it is poured. Nothing like it can be found in all the treasuries

of the rich, or the secrets of the wise. It is not to be imitated. It comes

alone from God, and it is freely given, through Jesus Christ, to every waiting

soul. Let us seek it, for we may have it, may have it this very evening. O

Lord, anoint thy servants.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” / Ecclesiastes 9:10

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,” refers to works that are possible. There

are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is

well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be

content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must

practically carry out “whatsoever our hand findeth to do.” One good deed is

more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large

opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we

“find to do” day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is

gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time

present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity

before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God

now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to

do–“do it with thy might.” Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in

thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for

the idleness of today. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we

honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do today. Whatever

you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little

slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve

him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength.

But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect

weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts. Then let us seek his help; let

us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our “hand findeth

to do,” let us wait upon the Lord for his blessing. What we do thus will be

well done, and will not fail in its effect.

 

Evening “They shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel.” /

Zechariah 4:10

Small things marked the beginning of the work in the hand of Zerubbabel, but

none might despise it, for the Lord had raised up one who would persevere

until the headstone should be brought forth with shoutings. The plummet was in

good hands. Here is the comfort of every believer in the Lord Jesus; let the

work of grace be ever so small in its beginnings, the plummet is in good

hands, a master builder greater than Solomon has undertaken the raising of the

heavenly temple, and he will not fail nor be discouraged till the topmost

pinnacle shall be raised. If the plummet were in the hand of any merely human

being, we might fear for the building, but the pleasure of the Lord shall

prosper in Jesus’ hand. The works did not proceed irregularly, and without

care, for the master’s hand carried a good instrument. Had the walls been

hurriedly run up without due superintendence, they might have been out of the

perpendicular; but the plummet was used by the chosen overseer. Jesus is

evermore watching the erection of his spiritual temple, that it may be built

securely and well. We are for haste, but Jesus is for judgment. He will use

the plummet, and that which is out of line must come down, every stone of it.

Hence the failure of many a flattering work, the overthrow of many a

glittering profession. It is not for us to judge the Lord’s church, since

Jesus has a steady hand, and a true eye, and can use the plummet well. Do we

not rejoice to see judgment left to him?

 

The plummet was in active use–it was in the builder’s hand; a sure indication

that he meant to push on the work to completion. O Lord Jesus, how would we

indeed be glad if we could see thee at thy great work. O Zion, the beautiful,

thy walls are still in ruins! Rise, thou glorious Builder, and make her

desolations to rejoice at thy coming.

Uncategorized

Seek the Lord

Leave a comment

 

Psalm 27:4-8

My life was radically influenced by the example of my grandfather, who wholeheartedly sought the Lord. I wanted the same kind of relationship that he had with God, and I knew the only way this would happen was if I, too, earnestly sought Him. All these years later, I can truthfully say that the most exciting aspect of my life is getting on my face before God in intimate fellowship.

This kind of relationship won’t happen accidentally. It requires a deliberate decision to reset your priorities in order to make room for the pursuit of God. Intimacy with Him is not something that can be achieved in an inspiring weekend conference, nor can it be accomplished by reading a chapter or two in the Bible and praying for ten minutes a day. Seeking God is a persevering lifetime commitment–day by day, decade by decade.

Too many believers are satisfied to have a shallow relationship with the Lord. They’ll seek answers to prayer or relief in times of suffering but are unwilling to sit quietly for an extended period of time just getting to know Him through prayer and His Word. Yet the most important pursuit in a believer’s life is building a relationship with God. To forfeit this great blessing is a tragedy.

God doesn’t need anything from you, but He desires your loving devotion and intimate fellowship. Is that what you want too? If so, are you willing to make the necessary commitment? Seeking the Lord cannot be hurried. It will cost you time and effort, but the rewards are worth any sacrifice.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning   “The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams.” /

Isaiah 33:21

Broad rivers and streams produce fertility, and abundance in the land. Places

near broad rivers are remarkable for the variety of their plants and their

plentiful harvests. God is all this to his Church. Having God she has

abundance. What can she ask for that he will not give her? What want can she

mention which he will not supply? “In this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts

make unto all people a feast of fat things.” Want ye the bread of life? It

drops like manna from the sky. Want ye refreshing streams? The rock follows

you, and that Rock is Christ. If you suffer any want it is your own fault; if

you are straitened you are not straitened in him, but in your own bowels.

Broad rivers and streams also point to commerce. Our glorious Lord is to us a

place of heavenly merchandise. Through our Redeemer we have commerce with the

past; the wealth of Calvary, the treasures of the covenant, the riches of the

ancient days of election, the stores of eternity, all come to us down the

broad stream of our gracious Lord. We have commerce, too, with the future.

What galleys, laden to the water’s edge, come to us from the millennium! What

visions we have of the days of heaven upon earth! Through our glorious Lord we

have commerce with angels; communion with the bright spirits washed in blood,

who sing before the throne; nay, better still, we have fellowship with the

Infinite One. Broad rivers and streams are specially intended to set forth the

idea of security. Rivers were of old a defence. Oh! beloved, what a defence is

God to his Church! The devil cannot cross this broad river of God. How he

wishes he could turn the current, but fear not, for God abideth immutably the

same. Satan may worry, but he cannot destroy us; no galley with oars shall

invade our river, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

 

Evening   “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed

man.” / Proverbs 24:33-34

The worst of sluggards only ask for a little slumber; they would be indignant

if they were accused of thorough idleness. A little folding of the hands to

sleep is all they crave, and they have a crowd of reasons to show that this

indulgence is a very proper one. Yet by these littles the day ebbs out, and

the time for labour is all gone, and the field is grown over with thorns. It

is by little procrastinations that men ruin their souls. They have no

intention to delay for years–a few months will bring the more convenient

season–to-morrow if you will, they will attend to serious things; but the

present hour is so occupied and altogether so unsuitable, that they beg to be

excused. Like sands from an hour-glass, time passes, life is wasted by

driblets, and seasons of grace lost by little slumbers. Oh, to be wise, to

catch the flying hour, to use the moments on the wing! May the Lord teach us

this sacred wisdom, for otherwise a poverty of the worst sort awaits us,

eternal poverty which shall want even a drop of water, and beg for it in vain.

Like a traveller steadily pursuing his journey, poverty overtakes the

slothful, and ruin overthrows the undecided: each hour brings the dreaded

pursuer nearer; he pauses not by the way, for he is on his master’s business

and must not tarry. As an armed man enters with authority and power, so shall

want come to the idle, and death to the impenitent, and there will be no

escape. O that men were wise be-times, and would seek diligently unto the Lord

Jesus, or ere the solemn day shall dawn when it will be too late to plough and

to sow, too late to repent and believe. In harvest, it is vain to lament that

the seed time was neglected. As yet, faith and holy decision are timely. May

we obtain them this night.

Uncategorized

Acknowledging God’s Sovereingty

Leave a comment

 

“By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones” (Heb. 11:22).

God uses your present circumstances to accomplish His future purposes.

Like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Joseph was an heir to the covenant promises of God. His hope was firmly fixed on God, and he knew that some day his people would be at home in the Promised Land.

Although he spent all his adult life in Egypt, never seeing the Promised Land for himself, Joseph’s faith never wavered. At the end of his life, he instructed his brothers to remove his bones from Egypt and bury them in their future homeland (Gen. 50:25). That request was fulfilled in the Exodus (Ex. 13:19).

But Joseph’s faith wasn’t in the promises of future events only, for his life was marked by exceptional trust in God and personal integrity. His understanding of God’s sovereignty was unique among the patriarchs. Even though he suffered greatly at the hands of evildoers (including his own brothers, who sold him into slavery), Joseph recognized God’s hand in every event of his life and submitted to His will.

Joseph said to his brothers, “Do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life . . . and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Gen. 45:5, 7-8). Later, after their father’s death, he reassured them again: “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to . . . preserve many people alive” (Gen. 50:19- 20).

The genius of Joseph’s faith was understanding the role that present circumstances play in fulfilling future promises. He accepted blessing and adversity alike because he knew God would use both to accomplish greater things in the future.

Joseph is the classic Old Testament example of the truth that God works all things together for good to those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). That’s a promise you can rely on too.

Suggestions for Prayer:   Reaffirm your trust in God’s sovereign work in your life.

For Further Study:  Read of Joseph’s life in Genesis 37-50.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning “Fellowship with him.” / 1 John 1:6

When we were united by faith to Christ, we were brought into such complete

fellowship with him, that we were made one with him, and his interests and

ours became mutual and identical. We have fellowship with Christ in his love.

What he loves we love. He loves the saints–so do we. He loves sinners–so do

we. He loves the poor perishing race of man, and pants to see earth’s deserts

transformed into the garden of the Lord–so do we. We have fellowship with him

in his desires. He desires the glory of God–we also labour for the same. He

desires that the saints may be with him where he is–we desire to be with him

there too. He desires to drive out sin–behold we fight under his banner. He

desires that his Father’s name may be loved and adored by all his

creatures–we pray daily, “Let thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth,

even as it is in heaven.” We have fellowship with Christ in his sufferings. We

are not nailed to the cross, nor do we die a cruel death, but when he is

reproached, we are reproached; and a very sweet thing it is to be blamed for

his sake, to be despised for following the Master, to have the world against

us. The disciple should not be above his Lord. In our measure we commune with

him in his labours, ministering to men by the word of truth and by deeds of

love. Our meat and our drink, like his, is to do the will of him who hath sent

us and to finish his work. We have also fellowship with Christ in his joys. We

are happy in his happiness, we rejoice in his exaltation. Have you ever tasted

that joy, believer? There is no purer or more thrilling delight to be known

this side heaven than that of having Christ’s joy fulfilled in us, that our

joy may be full. His glory awaits us to complete our fellowship, for his

Church shall sit with him upon his throne, as his well-beloved bride and

queen.

 

Evening “Get thee up into the high mountain.” / Isaiah 40:9

Each believer should be thirsting for God, for the living God, and longing to

climb the hill of the Lord, and see him face to face. We ought not to rest

content in the mists of the valley when the summit of Tabor awaits us. My soul

thirsteth to drink deep of the cup which is reserved for those who reach the

mountain’s brow, and bathe their brows in heaven. How pure are the dews of the

hills, how fresh is the mountain air, how rich the fare of the dwellers aloft,

whose windows look into the New Jerusalem! Many saints are content to live

like men in coal mines, who see not the sun; they eat dust like the serpent

when they might taste the ambrosial meat of angels; they are content to wear

the miner’s garb when they might put on king’s robes; tears mar their faces

when they might anoint them with celestial oil. Satisfied I am that many a

believer pines in a dungeon when he might walk on the palace roof, and view

the goodly land and Lebanon. Rouse thee, O believer, from thy low condition!

Cast away thy sloth, thy lethargy, thy coldness, or whatever interferes with

thy chaste and pure love to Christ, thy soul’s Husband. Make him the source,

the centre, and the circumference of all thy soul’s range of delight. What

enchants thee into such folly as to remain in a pit when thou mayst sit on a

throne? Live not in the lowlands of bondage now that mountain liberty is

conferred upon thee. Rest no longer satisfied with thy dwarfish attainments,

but press forward to things more sublime and heavenly. Aspire to a higher, a

nobler, a fuller life. Upward to heaven! Nearer to God!

“When wilt thou come unto me, Lord?

Oh come, my Lord most dear!

Come near, come nearer, nearer still,

I’m blest when thou art near.”

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning “Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.” / Hosea 12:12

Jacob, while expostulating with Laban, thus describes his own toil, “This

twenty years have I been with thee. That which was torn of beasts I brought

not unto thee: I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it,

whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. Thus I was; in the day the drought

consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.”

Even more toilsome than this was the life of our Saviour here below. He

watched over all his sheep till he gave in as his last account, “Of all those

whom thou hast given me I have lost none.” His hair was wet with dew, and his

locks with the drops of the night. Sleep departed from his eyes, for all night

he was in prayer wrestling for his people. One night Peter must be pleaded

for; anon, another claims his tearful intercession. No shepherd sitting

beneath the cold skies, looking up to the stars, could ever utter such

complaints because of the hardness of his toil as Jesus Christ might have

brought, if he had chosen to do so, because of the sternness of his service in

order to procure his spouse–

“Cold mountains and the midnight air,

Witnessed the fervour of his prayer;

The desert his temptations knew,

His conflict and his victory too.”

It is sweet to dwell upon the spiritual parallel of Laban having required all

the sheep at Jacob’s hand. If they were torn of beasts, Jacob must make it

good; if any of them died, he must stand as surety for the whole. Was not the

toil of Jesus for his Church the toil of one who was under suretiship

obligations to bring every believing one safe to the hand of him who had

committed them to his charge? Look upon toiling Jacob, and you see a

representation of him of whom we read, “He shall feed his flock like a

shepherd.”

 

Evening  “The power of his resurrection.” / Philippians 3:10

The doctrine of a risen Saviour is exceedingly precious. The resurrection is

the corner-stone of the entire building of Christianity. It is the key-stone

of the arch of our salvation. It would take a volume to set forth all the

streams of living water which flow from this one sacred source, the

resurrection of our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; but to know that he

has risen, and to have fellowship with him as such–communing with the risen

Saviour by possessing a risen life–seeing him leave the tomb by leaving the

tomb of worldliness ourselves, this is even still more precious. The doctrine

is the basis of the experience, but as the flower is more lovely than the

root, so is the experience of fellowship with the risen Saviour more lovely

than the doctrine itself. I would have you believe that Christ rose from the

dead so as to sing of it, and derive all the consolation which it is possible

for you to extract from this well-ascertained and well-witnessed fact; but I

beseech you, rest not contented even there. Though you cannot, like the

disciples, see him visibly, yet I bid you aspire to see Christ Jesus by the

eye of faith; and though, like Mary Magdalene, you may not “touch” him, yet

may you be privileged to converse with him, and to know that he is risen, you

yourselves being risen in him to newness of life. To know a crucified Saviour

as having crucified all my sins, is a high degree of knowledge; but to know a

risen Saviour as having justified me, and to realize that he has bestowed upon

me new life, having given me to be a new creature through his own newness of

life, this is a noble style of experience: short of it, none ought to rest

satisfied. May you both “know him, and the power of his resurrection.” Why

should souls who are quickened with Jesus, wear the grave-clothes of

worldliness and unbelief? Rise, for the Lord is risen.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning     “O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul.” / Lamentations 3:58

Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He doth not say, “I hope, I trust,

I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded the causes of my soul;” but he speaks

of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed. “Thou hast pleaded the causes of

my soul.” Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts

and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Be this our prayer, that we

may have done with the harsh croaking voice of surmise and suspicion, and may

be able to speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance. Notice how

gratefully the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You

perceive there is not a word concerning himself or his own pleadings. He doth

not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to his own

merit; but it is “thou”–“O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul;

thou hast redeemed my life.” A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated by

the Christian; and especially after deliverances we should prepare a song for

our God. Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints,

and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet incense of

thanksgiving. How joyful Jeremiah seems to be while he records the Lord’s

mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the low

dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and yet in the

very book which is called “Lamentations,” clear as the song of Miriam when she

dashed her fingers against the tabor, shrill as the note of Deborah when she

met Barak with shouts of victory, we hear the voice of Jeremy going up to

heaven–“Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.”

O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord’s lovingkindness,

and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout

triumphantly.

 

Evening  “The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.” /

Proverbs 30:26

Conscious of their own natural defencelessness, the conies resort to burrows

in the rocks, and are secure from their enemies. My heart, be willing to

gather a lesson from these feeble folk. Thou art as weak and as exposed to

peril as the timid cony; be as wise to seek a shelter. My best security is

within the munitions of an immutable Jehovah, where his unalterable promises

stand like giant walls of rock. It will be well with thee, my heart, if thou

canst always hide thyself in the bulwarks of his glorious attributes, all of

which are guarantees of safety for those who put their trust in him. Blessed

be the name of the Lord, I have so done, and have found myself like David in

Adullam, safe from the cruelty of my enemy; I have not now to find out the

blessedness of the man who puts his trust in the Lord, for long ago, when

Satan and my sins pursued me, I fled to the cleft of the rock Christ Jesus,

and in his riven side I found a delightful resting-place. My heart, run to him

anew tonight, whatever thy present grief may be; Jesus feels for thee; Jesus

consoles thee; Jesus will help thee. No monarch in his impregnable fortress is

more secure than the cony in his rocky burrow. The master of ten thousand

chariots is not one whit better protected than the little dweller in the

mountain’s cleft. In Jesus the weak are strong, and the defenceless safe; they

could not be more strong if they were giants, or more safe if they were in

heaven. Faith gives to men on earth the protection of the God of heaven. More

they cannot need, and need not wish. The conies cannot build a castle, but

they avail themselves of what is there already: I cannot make myself a refuge,

but Jesus has provided it, his Father has given it, his Spirit has revealed

it, and lo, again tonight I enter it, and am safe from every foe.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning   “Avoid foolish questions.” / Titus 3:9

Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing

over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a

world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical

importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points

and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said,

neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes

knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions

upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God

alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of

observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our

business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them

altogether; and if we observe the apostle’s precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful

to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with

profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and

needless strivings.

There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we

must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in

the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not

after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my

conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking for the coming

of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What

more can I do for Jesus? Such enquiries as these urgently demand our

attention; and if we have been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our

critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be

peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and example, to

“avoid foolish questions.”

 

Evening  “O that I knew where I might find him!” / Job 23:3

In Job’s uttermost extremity he cried after the Lord. The longing desire of an

afflicted child of God is once more to see his Father’s face. His first prayer

is not “O that I might be healed of the disease which now festers in every

part of my body!” nor even “O that I might see my children restored from the

jaws of the grave, and my property once more brought from the hand of the

spoiler!” but the first and uppermost cry is, “O that I knew where I might

find Him, who is my God! that I might come even to his seat!” God’s children

run home when the storm comes on. It is the heaven-born instinct of a gracious

soul to seek shelter from all ills beneath the wings of Jehovah. “He that hath

made his refuge God,” might serve as the title of a true believer. A

hypocrite, when afflicted by God, resents the infliction, and, like a slave,

would run from the Master who has scourged him; but not so the true heir of

heaven, he kisses the hand which smote him, and seeks shelter from the rod in

the bosom of the God who frowned upon him. Job’s desire to commune with God

was intensified by the failure of all other sources of consolation. The

patriarch turned away from his sorry friends, and looked up to the celestial

throne, just as a traveller turns from his empty skin bottle, and betakes

himself with all speed to the well. He bids farewell to earth-born hopes, and

cries, “O that I knew where I might find my God!” Nothing teaches us so much

the preciousness of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all

besides. Turning away with bitter scorn from earth’s hives, where we find no

honey, but many sharp stings, we rejoice in him whose faithful word is sweeter

than honey or the honeycomb. In every trouble we should first seek to realize

God’s presence with us. Only let us enjoy his smile, and we can bear our daily

cross with a willing heart for his dear sake.

Uncategorized

Living a Satisfied Life

Leave a comment

 

“All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. “And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Heb. 11:13-16).

I remember watching in horror and disgust as angry mobs swept through Los Angeles, killing people and setting thousands of buildings on fire. Under the cover of chaos, countless people ransacked and looted every store in sight. I saw entire families- -moms, dads, and little children– loading their cars and trucks with anything they could steal.

That was the most graphic demonstration of lawlessness I’ve ever seen. It was as if they were saying, “I’m not satisfied with the way life’s treating me, so I’m entitled to grab everything I can–no matter who gets hurt in the process.”

Perhaps we don’t realize how selfish and restless the human heart can be until the restraints of law and order are lifted and people can do whatever they want without apparent consequences. Then suddenly the results of our godless “me first” society are seen for what they are. Instant gratification at any cost has become the motto of the day.

That’s in stark contrast to people of faith like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who trusted in God even when their circumstances were less than they might have expected. God promised them a magnificent land but they never possessed it. They were, in fact, strangers and refugees in their own land. But that didn’t bother them because they looked forward to a better place–a heavenly city.

Their faith pleased God and He was not ashamed to be called their God. What a wonderful testimonial! I pray that’s true of you. Don’t let earthbound hopes and dreams make you dissatisfied. Trust in God’s promises and set your sights on your heavenly home.

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the blessing of a satisfied heart.

For Further Study: Memorize Psalm 27:4

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning  “A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.” / Song of Solomon 4:12

In this metaphor, which has reference to the inner life of a believer, we have

very plainly the idea of secrecy. It is a spring shut up: just as there were

springs in the East, over which an edifice was built, so that none could reach

them save those who knew the secret entrance; so is the heart of a believer

when it is renewed by grace: there is a mysterious life within which no human

skill can touch. It is a secret which no other man knoweth; nay, which the

very man who is the possessor of it cannot tell to his neighbour. The text

includes not only secrecy, but separation. It is not the common spring, of

which every passer-by may drink, it is one kept and preserved from all others;

it is a fountain bearing a particular mark–a king’s royal seal, so that all

can perceive that it is not a common fountain, but a fountain owned by a

proprietor, and placed specially by itself alone. So is it with the spiritual

life. The chosen of God were separated in the eternal decree; they were

separated by God in the day of redemption; and they are separated by the

possession of a life which others have not; and it is impossible for them to

feel at home with the world, or to delight in its pleasures. There is also the

idea of sacredness. The spring shut up is preserved for the use of some

special person: and such is the Christian’s heart. It is a spring kept for

Jesus. Every Christian should feel that he has God’s seal upon him–and he

should be able to say with Paul, “From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I

bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Another idea is prominent–it is

that of security. Oh! how sure and safe is the inner life of the believer! If

all the powers of earth and hell could combine against it, that immortal

principle must still exist, for he who gave it pledged his life for its

preservation. And who “is he that shall harm you,” when God is your protector?

 

Evening  “Thou art from everlasting.” / Psalm 93:2

Christ is Everlasting. Of him we may sing with David, “Thy throne, O God, is

forever and ever.” Rejoice, believer, in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday,

today, and forever. Jesus always was. The Babe born in Bethlehem was united to

the Word, which was in the beginning, by whom all things were made. The title

by which Christ revealed himself to John in Patmos was, “Him which is, and

which was, and which is to come.” If he were not God from everlasting, we

could not so devoutly love him; we could not feel that he had any share in the

eternal love which is the fountain of all covenant blessings; but since he was

from all eternity with the Father, we trace the stream of divine love to

himself equally with his Father and the blessed Spirit. As our Lord always

was, so also he is for evermore. Jesus is not dead; “He ever liveth to make

intercession for us.” Resort to him in all your times of need, for he is

waiting to bless you still. Moreover, Jesus our Lord ever shall be. If God

should spare your life to fulfil your full day of threescore years and ten,

you will find that his cleansing fountain is still opened, and his precious

blood has not lost its power; you shall find that the Priest who filled the

healing fount with his own blood, lives to purge you from all iniquity. When

only your last battle remains to be fought, you shall find that the hand of

your conquering Captain has not grown feeble–the living Saviour shall cheer

the dying saint. When you enter heaven you shall find him there bearing the

dew of his youth; and through eternity the Lord Jesus shall still remain the

perennial spring of joy, and life, and glory to his people. Living waters may

you draw from this sacred well! Jesus always was, he always is, he always

shall be. He is eternal in all his attributes, in all his offices, in all his

might, and willingness to bless, comfort, guard, and crown his chosen people.

Uncategorized

The Problem of Unmet Needs

Leave a comment

 

Psalm 84:11-12

If the Lord has promised to provide and is able, why doesn’t He always meet our needs when we ask? Since He’s completely faithful to His Word, the problem is obviously with us, not Him. In today’s passage, His promise of provision has a condition–it’s given to “those who walk uprightly” (v. 11). So if God isn’t providing for our needs as we think He should, He may have a different plan for us. But we should also examine our lives for possible hindrances.

Sin. One reason our prayers may not be answered is because we’ve allowed sin in our lives and are not walking uprightly. If the Lord ignored disobedience and granted our requests, He’d be affirming a sinful lifestyle.

Laziness. Another possible explanation for unmet needs is that we haven’t done our part. Although God is the ultimate source of all we have, He’s given us the responsibility to work in order to provide basic necessities (2 Thess. 3:10-11). If you’re an able-bodied person who’s unwilling to work and wants something for nothing, the Lord is not going to reinforce your laziness.

Desires. Perhaps God hasn’t provided as you expected because your “needs” are really desires. If He knows that what you want won’t fulfill His plans for your life, He will withhold it in order to provide something better.

To avoid disappointment with God, understand that His actions and character always align. He won’t reward rebellion or laziness, and His answers to prayer fit with His goal of conforming us to Christ’s image. If He’s withholding something you deem essential, He’s working something even better for you.

Uncategorized

Moravian Daily Texts

Leave a comment

 

Saturday, November 17 — Psalm 127

1 Kings 11:1-25; John 15:18-16:4

 

God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Psalm 69:5

 

God forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

 

Redemptive Savior, forgive us this day our sins as we try so hard to forgive those who have hurt and wronged us. Remind us that we are not perfect. Just as you show us grace and understanding, so should we do the same to others. Amen.

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning    To whom be glory forever. Amen” / Romans 11:36

“To whom be glory forever.” This should be the single desire of the Christian.

All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian

may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to

promote this–“To him be glory forever.” He may desire to attain more gifts

and more graces, but it should only be that “To him may be glory forever.” You

are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than

a single eye to your Lord’s glory. As a Christian, you are “of God, and

through God,” then live “to God.” Let nothing ever set your heart beating so

mightily as love to him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the

foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining

motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. Depend

upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and

only object,

“To me ’tis equal whether love ordain

My life or death–appoint me ease or pain.”

Let your desire for God’s glory be a growing desire. You blessed him in your

youth, do not be content with such praises as you gave him then. Has God

prospered you in business? Give him more as he has given you more. Has God

given you experience? Praise him by stronger faith than you exercised at

first. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy happier

times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and has your

sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give him more music; put more

coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise. Practically

in your life give him honour, putting the “Amen” to this doxology to your

great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing

holiness.

 

Evening  “He that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.” / Ecclesiastes 10:9

Oppressors may get their will of poor and needy men as easily as they can

split logs of wood, but they had better mind, for it is a dangerous business,

and a splinter from a tree has often killed the woodman. Jesus is persecuted

in every injured saint, and he is mighty to avenge his beloved ones. Success

in treading down the poor and needy is a thing to be trembled at: if there be

no danger to persecutors here there will be great danger hereafter.

To cleave wood is a common every-day business, and yet it has its dangers; so

then, reader, there are dangers connected with your calling and daily life

which it will be well for you to be aware of. We refer not to hazards by flood

and field, or by disease and sudden death, but to perils of a spiritual sort.

Your occupation may be as humble as log splitting, and yet the devil can tempt

you in it. You may be a domestic servant, a farm labourer, or a mechanic, and

you may be greatly screened from temptations to the grosser vices, and yet

some secret sin may do you damage. Those who dwell at home, and mingle not

with the rough world, may yet be endangered by their very seclusion. Nowhere

is he safe who thinks himself so. Pride may enter a poor man’s heart; avarice

may reign in a cottager’s bosom; uncleanness may venture into the quietest

home; and anger, and envy, and malice may insinuate themselves into the most

rural abode. Even in speaking a few words to a servant we may sin; a little

purchase at a shop may be the first link in a chain of temptations; the mere

looking out of a window may be the beginning of evil. O Lord, how exposed we

are! How shall we be secured! To keep ourselves is work too hard for us: only

thou thyself art able to preserve us in such a world of evils. Spread thy

wings over us, and we, like little chickens, will cower down beneath thee, and

feel ourselves safe!

Uncategorized

Charles Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

Leave a comment

 

Morning  “The Lord’s portion is his people.” / Deuteronomy 32:9

How are they his? By his own sovereign choice. He chose them, and set his love

upon them. This he did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the time,

or any goodness which he foresaw in them. He had mercy on whom he would have

mercy, and ordained a chosen company unto eternal life; thus, therefore, are

they his by his unconstrained election.

They are not only his by choice, but by purchase. He has bought and paid for

them to the utmost farthing, hence about his title there can be no dispute.

Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, but with the precious

blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord’s portion has been fully redeemed.

There is no mortgage on his estate; no suits can be raised by opposing

claimants, the price was paid in open court, and the Church is the Lord’s

freehold forever. See the blood-mark upon all the chosen, invisible to human

eye, but known to Christ, for “the Lord knoweth them that are his”; he

forgetteth none of those whom he has redeemed from among men; he counts the

sheep for whom he laid down his life, and remembers well the Church for which

he gave himself.

They are also his by conquest. What a battle he had in us before we would be

won! How long he laid siege to our hearts! How often he sent us terms of

capitulation! but we barred our gates, and fenced our walls against him. Do we

not remember that glorious hour when he carried our hearts by storm? When he

placed his cross against the wall, and scaled our ramparts, planting on our

strongholds the blood-red flag of his omnipotent mercy? Yes, we are, indeed,

the conquered captives of his omnipotent love. Thus chosen, purchased, and

subdued, the rights of our divine possessor are inalienable: we rejoice that

we never can be our own; and we desire, day by day, to do his will, and to

show forth his glory.

 

Evening  “Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us.” / Psalm 68:28

It is our wisdom, as well as our necessity, to beseech God continually to

strengthen that which he has wrought in us. It is because of their neglect in

this, that many Christians may blame themselves for those trials and

afflictions of spirit which arise from unbelief. It is true that Satan seeks

to flood the fair garden of the heart and make it a scene of desolation, but

it is also true that many Christians leave open the sluice-gates themselves,

and let in the dreadful deluge through carelessness and want of prayer to

their strong Helper. We often forget that the Author of our faith must be the

Preserver of it also. The lamp which was burning in the temple was never

allowed to go out, but it had to be daily replenished with fresh oil; in like

manner, our faith can only live by being sustained with the oil of grace, and

we can only obtain this from God himself. Foolish virgins we shall prove, if

we do not secure the needed sustenance for our lamps. He who built the world

upholds it, or it would fall in one tremendous crash; he who made us

Christians must maintain us by his Spirit, or our ruin will be speedy and

final. Let us, then, evening by evening, go to our Lord for the grace and

strength we need. We have a strong argument to plead, for it is his own work

of grace which we ask him to strengthen–“that which thou hast wrought for

us.” Think you he will fail to protect and sustain that? Only let your faith

take hold of his strength, and all the powers of darkness, led on by the

master fiend of hell, cannot cast a cloud or shadow over your joy and peace.

Why faint when you may be strong? Why suffer defeat when you may conquer? Oh!

take your wavering faith and drooping graces to him who can revive and

replenish them, and earnestly pray, “Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast

wrought for us.”