DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
O God, deliver us we pray, from the invasion of sin, as well as from the dominion of it. Grant us to walk as Christ walked; in his newness of life may we live—may the life in the flesh be a life of faith upon the Son of God who loved us, and gave himself for us (Galatians 2:20); and may it be a life of love, and consecration of burning zeal for God; a life of pure holiness; such a life as the incarnate God himself has lived among the sons of men.
We lament that in the body of this death there is much that we abhor. We are tempted to laziness at times, and though busy in the world we become spiritually idle. Also, we are tempted to envy others, because they excel us, and we mourn to confess the meanness of our spirit in this matter; and also we have to lament our pride. We have nothing to be proud of; the lowest place is ours; but Lord, we often conceive ourselves to be something when we are nothing. We pray, forgive all these vices of our nature; but at the same time kill them, for we hate ourselves to think we should fall into such evils.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Paul not only believed in Christ’s death, and trusted in it, but he actually felt its power in himself in causing the crucifixion of his old corrupt nature. When he saw the pleasures of sin, he said, “I cannot enjoy these: I am dead to them.” Such is the experience of every true Christian. Having received Christ, he is to this world as one who is utterly dead.
Yet, while conscious of death to the world, he can, at the same time, exclaim with the apostle, “Nevertheless I live.” He is fully alive unto God. The Christian’s life is a matchless riddle. No worldling can comprehend it; even the believer himself cannot understand it. Dead, yet alive! Crucified with Christ, and yet at the same time risen with Christ in newness of life! Union with the suffering, bleeding Savior, and death to the world and sin, are soul-cheering things. O for more enjoyment of them!
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
The (not-so-surprising) cure for anxiety
Today’s prayer asked God to heal us of our pride, knowing that we have nothing worth boasting about in ourselves. When we forget that reality and try to boast in ourselves, we are filled with anxiety.
The path to a peaceful life, free of anxiety, starts by laying down your pride, by relying on the Savior instead of yourself. If you want peace in your life, start by growing in humility.
That’s the point of Humble Roots by Hannah Anderson. This book discusses Christ’s call to humility and practical steps to walk in it. It will definitely encourage you, shape you into Christlikeness, and fill you up with peace.