Author: Charles Spurgeon

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Let us rejoice with trembling. Will you preserve us all from any of the intoxication that comes of prosperity. When our heart is glad, if it be not with the high joy that comes of God, let us always look to you to sober us in such moments.

The Lord lead us safely on to his eternal kingdom. We will not ask whether the road will be rough or smooth, we leave that with you. Only bring us to behold the face of him we love. If you will give us bread to eat and clothes to put on, and bring us to our Father’s house in peace, it is all we ask below. Whatsoever your will ordains, only do bring us to our Father’s house in peace. Grant us this.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For your faithful love guides me, and I live by your truth.” (Psalm 26:3)

The Psalmist was preserved from sin by his assurance of the truthfulness of God’s promise, which truth he endeavored to imitate as well as to believe.

Observe from this verse, that an experience of divine love will show itself in a practical following of divine truth; those who neglect either the doctrinal or practical parts of truth must not wonder if they lose the experimental enjoyment of it. Some talk of truth, it is better to walk in it. Some vow to do well in future, but their resolutions come to nothing; only the regenerate man can say “I have walked in your truth.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

The most refreshing book I’ve read in years.

You’ve probably already heard a lot of people talk about the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund. This book is an absolutely stunning picture of God’s grace to us in Christ. You know that Christ died for you, but do you know why?

I‘ve been moved to tears several times while reading this book and seeing the stunningly beautiful and biblical picture of Christ’s love for his people. The book is great reading for any sinning and suffering Christian (which is all of us!)

This book is so popular that most stores haven’t been able to keep it in stock. It’s finally available again. Grab a copy now (while you still can!)

Buy Gentle and Lowly:

• Amazon (Hardcover or Kindle edition)
• ChristianBook.com (Hardcover or ebook edition)

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Remember those who have lately been bereaved. They lately had the sentence of death in themselves, by reason of sore disease of body. Help, strengthen, comfort, deliver. The widow and the fatherless are always your care.

Look, most tender and compassionate Lord, upon all such as are in any trouble of mind, or body, or estate; and let the rich comforts of the Comforter himself be dispensed to them. And, Lord, will you keep those that are not troubled. Let them rejoice with trembling.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“For your faithful love guides me, and I live by your truth.” (Psalm 26:3)

God’s faithful love is an object of memory and a ground of hope. A sense of mercy received sets a fair prospect before the faithful mind in its gloomiest condition, for it yields visions of mercies yet to come, visions not visionary but real.

Dwell, dear reader, upon that celestial word lovingkindness. It has a heavenly savor. Is it not an unmatchable word, unexcelled, unrivalled? The goodness of the Lord to us should be before our eyes as a motive actuating our conduct; we are not under the bondage of the law, but we are under the sweet constraints of grace, which are far more mighty, although far more gentle. Men sin with the law before their eyes, but divine love when clearly seen, sanctifies the conversation. If we were not so forgetful of the way of mercy in which God walks towards us, we should be more careful to walk in the ways of obedience towards him.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A book to help the youngest kids follow Christ

Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know is a new children’s book by Melissa Kruger. The book is really fun (with great illustrations and rhymes) with an eternal message: No matter what direction their life takes, no matter what kind of work they do, our biggest dream for our children is that they follow Christ.

I know I’ve recommended this book before, but I need to buy it again because my family has completely worn through our copy (we’ve read it so many times that it’s falling off the spine). I hope it will be a blessing to your family!

Buy Wherever You Go, I Want You To Know on Amazon or ChristianBook.com.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our Father, hear the pleadings of your children, as we bow before you and yield everything to your parental will. Now bless your children. Sanctify us, Lord, spirit, soul, and body. Cleanse us even as with hyssop (Psalm 51:7). Cleanse us in our inward parts, and make us to know wisdom in the secret places of our spirit.

And, Lord, will you also help such of your children as are very sorely burdened. When you lay on a burden, give strength equal to it; and if the burden should press heavier and heavier, hold the everlasting arms yet more consciously underneath us. 

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” (Psalm 26:2)

All this is a very bold appeal, and made by a man like David, who feared the Lord exceedingly, it manifests a most solemn and complete conviction of innocence. The expressions here used should teach us the thoroughness of the divine judgment, and the necessity of being in all things profoundly sincere, lest we be found wanting at the last.

Our enemies are severe with us with the severity of spite, and this a brave man endures without a fear; but God’s severity is that of unswerving right, who shall stand against such a trial? The sweet singer asks “Who can stand before his cold?” and we may well enquire, “Who can stand before the heat of his justice?”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Weekly Resource Round-Up

Missed any of the recommended books this week? Here’s a reminder of where you can find them all:

• From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology by T. Desmond Alexander
• The Baker Compact Dictionary of Theological Terms by Gregg Allison
• Arlo and the Great Big Cover-Up by Betsy Childs Howard
• Providence by John Piper (Available for Pre-Order)

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O you who are God, we have heard you say, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10); and what a silence have you made in our heart, where else there had been murmuring and complaint, when we have understood “The Lord has done it.”

Aaron held his peace when he knew this; and so would we. No, we would do more. We would speak out of our griefs and our down-castings, and say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him; for the Lord is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. Blessed be his name” (Job 1:21, 13:15; Psalm 73:1).

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” (Psalm 26:2)

The Psalmist was so clear from the charge laid against him, that he submitted himself unconditionally to any form of examination which the Lord might see fit to employ.

“Examine me, O Lord.” Look me through and through; make a minute survey; put me to the question, cross-examine my evidence. “And prove me.” Put me again to trial; and see if I would follow such wicked designs as my enemies impute to me.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Trust the God who rules all things.

One of the most important Christian books in our decade is being released next month. Providence by John Piper is a new book explaining how God sovereignly rules over all of his creation, both in the Bible and today.

John Piper’s writings are all characterized by careful theology and thoughtful unfolding of biblical texts, and this book will be no different.

Understanding God’s providence will surely bolster your faith in our good, gracious, glorious sovereign Lord.

Pre-order Providence today on Amazon in hardcover or Kindle editions.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Lord, we yield up to your sovereignty all that we are, and all that we have. Do as you will with us. Whenever our wishes grow into willings, and our willings become obtrusive fault-findings with your providence; have mercy upon your servants in this thing, and take away from us the evil heart of unbelief that dares to question you.

Be this the finale of our every prayer, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39); and be this the great pleading of our heart every day, “Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” (Psalm 26:1)

Slippery as the way is, so that I walk like a man upon ice, yet faith keeps my heels from tripping, and will continue to do so. The doubtful ways of policy are sure sooner or later to give a fall to those who run therein, but the ways of honesty, though often rough, are always safe. We cannot trust in God if we walk crookedly; but straight paths and simple faith bring the pilgrim happily to his journey’s end.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

New Kids Book: Teach about repentance, confession, and grace

Arlo and the Great Big Cover-Up by Betsy Childs Howard is a new book your kids or grandkids will love. When a secret sin during nap time gets out of control, Arlo is brought to confess his wrongdoing, but finds joy in his mother’s firm discipline and warm, merciful response.

This book will teach your kids that “cleaned up is better than covered up” and will invite them to bring their sin to the One who is able to forgive them and cleanse them from all unrighteousness.

Buy Arlo and the Great Big Cover-Up on Amazon.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

O Lord God, we have felt that we could well trust you with a boundless sovereignty, and we do. You are so good, so kind, so just, so holy, that no mistake is possible to you. You are the fountain and source of all law: what you command, it is ours to obey.

We have heard the thunder of that sentence, “who are you, a human being, to talk back to God?” (Romans 9:20); and in meekness of heart and lowliness of spirit, we bow before the infinite glory of your majesty, and it is to us the most joyful of all songs, “The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts and islands be glad” (Psalm 97:1).

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” (Psalm 26:1)

Faith is the root and sap of integrity. He who leans upon the Lord is sure to walk in righteousness. Faith will work hard for the Lord, and in the Lord’s way, but she refuses so much as to lift a finger to fulfill the devices of unrighteous cunning.

Rebecca acted out a great falsehood in order to fulfill the Lord’s decree in favor of Jacob—this was unbelief; but Abraham left the Lord to fulfill his own purposes, and took the knife to slay his son—this was faith. Faith trusts God to accomplish his own decrees. Why should I steal when God has promised to supply my need? Why should I avenge myself when I know that the Lord has espoused my cause? Confidence in God is a most effective security against sin.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

You need a dictionary (Seriously, you need a dictionary)

Definitions are important. When reading a book or listening to teaching, we can’t learn or apply anything if we don’t know the words an author or speaker is using.

The Baker Compact Dictionary of Theological Terms by Gregg Allison is an invaluable resource for theological studies, offering clear definitions for the most important words for understanding the Bible and theology. This is an incredible resource for looking up new words that you don’t know and for getting a quick refresher on various theological positions.

Buy The Baker Compact Dictionary of Theological Terms on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

The Lord grant, that we may all of us have not only faith in Christ, but full assurance of faith, whereby we shall trust, for the present and for the future, everything in those dear hands that were nailed to the cross for us.

Help your children to perform an act of faith today, by leaving all their troubles aside and coming close to their Lord. He has sweat great drops for us, and now you bid your own children to cease therefrom, even as of old you bade the priests to wear no garment that caused sweat, because they were to find rest in your service, and peace in the performance of their holy duties. Even so, may your people do.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” (Psalm 26:1)

He held integrity as his principle, and walked in it as his practice. David had not used any traitorous or unrighteous means to gain the crown or to keep it; he was conscious of having been guided by the noblest principles of honor in all his actions with regard to Saul and his family.

What a comfort it is to have the approbation of one’s own conscience! If there be peace within the soul, the blustering storms of slander which howl around us are of little consideration. When the little bird in my bosom sings a merry song, it is no matter to me if a thousand owls hoot at me from without.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Answering Life’s Big Questions with the Bible’s Big Story

Why does the earth exist? What is the purpose of human life? Those are the questions that T. Desmond Alexander seeks to answer in his book From Eden to the New Jerusalem: An Introduction to Biblical Theology.

According to the book, the answer to those big questions is found in the grand, overarching story of the Bible.

Whether you’re new to biblical theology (studying the Bible as a whole) or a seasoned veteran, From Eden to the New Jerusalem will be a blessing to you. Keeping an eye on the Bible’s big story is a helpful tool for making the most of your Bible reading plan this year.

Buy From Eden to the New Jerusalem on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

As the hymn says, “Thou, O Christ, art all we want; More than all in Thee we find.” Oh, let us never mistrust you, blessed Son of God. May we have no doubt about your Father’s love—no suspicion as to the love of the Spirit; but may we rejoice in God by Jesus Christ, through whom also we have received the atonement (Romans 5:11). May we come to anchor, and, casting anchor in the port of peace, may we never be troubled again about that question, but be able to say “My Father,” with an unfaltering lip.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” (Psalm 26:1)

A solemn appeal to the just tribunal of the heart-searching God, warranted by the circumstances of the writer, so far as regarded the particular offences with which he was wrongly charged. Worried and worn out by the injustice of men, the innocent spirit flies from its false accusers to the throne of Eternal Right.

He had need have a clear case who dares to carry his suit into the King’s Bench of heaven. Such an appeal as this is not to be rashly made on any occasion; and as to the whole of our walk and conversation, it should never be made at all, except as we are Justified in Christ Jesus: a far more fitting prayer for a sinful mortal is the petition, “Do not bring your servant into judgment” (Psalm 143:2).

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Weekly Resource Roundup

Here are all of the resources we’ve shared together this week. I hope you’ll consider supporting these authors and their ministries:

• None Like Him by Jen Wilkin — Be amazed by our great God. (Paperback or Kindle)
• The Peacemaker by Ken Sande — Be equipped to address conflict in a biblical way. (Paperback or Kindle)
• Emblems of the Infinite King — Teach the wonder and grandeur of God to children, ages 7–13, in this stunning, beautiful book. (Hardback)
• Spurgeon on Suffering: Reflections on our Pain and God’s Grace — My new book! 12 classic Spurgeon sermons to give you Christ-centered hope in the midst of suffering. (Paperback or Kindle)

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

May we come away from doubting and fearing and hesitating, and may we believe. Oh, for the faith which trusts the bare promise of God! Let us not be asking for signs and wonders, and withholding faith because these are not given to us; but whatsoever we find in your Word, may we believe it to be sure truth, and hang our souls upon it.

Above all things, give us grace to trust in Jesus, in the full atonement made, and the utmost ransom paid. “He is all my salvation and all my desire” (2 Samuel 23:5), may we each one be able to say this of him, who “of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5:11)

Persecution of the tongue is more common, but not less cruel than that of the hand. Slander is unscrupulous, and indulges in accusations of every kind: “every kind of evil” is a comprehensive phrase. No crime is too base to be laid at the door of the innocent; nor will the persecutor have any hesitation as to the vileness of the charge. The rule seems to be, “Throw plenty of mud, and some of it will stick.”

Under this very grievous trial, good men are to be more than ordinarily happy. The honor of suffering with the prophets, for the Lord’s sake, is so great, that it may well reconcile us to all that it involves. Our joy and gladness are to exceed all ordinary bounds.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teach the wonder of God to children

The best strategy for protecting our children from false teaching is to teach them theology. Theology, properly taught, will awaken wonder and awe in any child’s heart.

A great resource for teaching theology to children (ages 7-13) is Emblems of the Infinite King. The book describes crucial, biblical doctrines about God with beautiful text and stunning illustrations. I love reading this book to my kids, but I also love reading it on my own. 🤓

Awaken your children to the wonder of God and invite them to approach his throne with fear and trembling through Emblems of the Infinite King.

Buy Emblems of the Infinite King on Amazon.

Get a prayer from Spurgeon in your inbox every day. Subscribe to the Pray with Spurgeon newsletter for free.

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our Father, our faith is in you; our expectation is from you; our love goes out towards you: we believe you; we accept every word of your sacred revelation as being eternal verity and immutable truth.

Sometimes we are troubled to know whether the promises are for us—whether we really have a share in covenant blessings; but we thank you that you have helped many of us to hold a trial in the court of conscience, and since our heart condemns us not we have confidence towards God (1 John 3:21). Let this be the portion of all your children.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:10)

This is the peculiar blessing of the elect of God, and it stands high up in the list of honor. The only homage which wickedness can pay to righteousness is to persecute it. Those who in the first blessing were poor in spirit, are here despised as well as poverty-stricken; and in this they get a new royal charter, which for the second time ensures to them “the kingdom of heaven.”

Yes, they have the kingdom now: it is theirs in present possession. Not because of any personal fault, but simply on account of their godly character, the Lord’s Daniels are hated: but they are blessed by that which looks like a curse. Ishmael mocks Isaac; but nevertheless Isaac has the inheritance, and Ishmael is cast out. It is a gift from God to be allowed to suffer for his name. So may we be helped to rejoice in Christ’s cross when we are honored by being reviled for his name’s sake.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Have strength while suffering with Christ

Today’s verse makes clear that Christians should expect suffering. It’s not something that we can avoid as long as we live in this fallen world. We willsuffer and God calls us to persevere.

Spurgeon is full of wisdom of persevering through suffering. Recently, I compiled a list of his best sermons on trials, pain, and suffering and put them together in a book: Spurgeon on Suffering.

Learn how to cling to God in faith through your trials in this collection of sermons. I hope it’s a blessing to you.

Buy Spurgeon on Suffering on Amazon in paperback or Kindle editions.