DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
It may be that you have appointed for us great torrents of tribulation, but you will be with us if we pass through the river. Perhaps you will permit us to go through blazing fires of persecution or temptation, but we shall not be burned; for you have assured us it shall be so, that we shall go through the fires unhurt, since you will be with us.
Perhaps, it is written in the tablets of your eternal purpose, that we shall soon end this mortal life and die. Well, be it so, we shall the sooner see your face, the sooner drink eternal draughts of bliss. But if you have appointed for us grey hairs, only grant us grace that, by infirmity, our faith may never fail us; but when the windows are darkened, may we still look out to see the hope that is to be revealed; and when the grasshopper becomes a burden (Ecclesiastes 12:5), still let our strength be as our days, even to the last day.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
From the mouths of infants and nursing babies, you have established a stronghold on account of your adversaries in order to silence the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2)
The power of God is displayed in human weakness—strength out of babies’ mouths—the way he glorifies himself by using the least and causing them to show forth his praise to the confusion of his adversaries. There is a glory of God to be seen in creation, but in redemption there are peculiarly bright manifestations. In creation there was no opposition.
When God framed this world, there was no opposing force to fight against him. He spoke and it was done. Absolute nothingness was no hindrance to the creation. In the sphere of moral and spiritual things “the enemy” is met with, and here is a labor worthy of God—to overthrow this enemy and still the evil voice that curses the sons of men. In conquering the opposition of the powers of evil, God displays a glory more remarkable than what he obtains by the greatest feats of creative power.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Teaching kids that God is always at work, even in scary circumstances
Today we prayed that God would preserve us and even grow us through any fiery trials that we might face. This is an important lesson for us all, including our kids. We should teach our kids that God is big enough to protect them through any scary thing they might face.
A great resource for teaching this crucial truth to kids is Esther and the Very Brave Plan by Tim Thornborough. I received a review copy of this new book and I was so thankful for this faithful, fun retelling of Esther.
The book focuses on how, even when it looked like he wasn’t going to save his people, God was “working, working, working” out his incredible plan to save Esther. This will give your kids the framework they need to trust God in the midst of whatever trials might come their way in the future.
My family has been loving Esther and the Very Brave Plan and I hope your family will love it too!