DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Standing before the throne of God without fear, we would humbly ask you to bless our country. Oh, that you would look upon this nation which has sorely sinned, which has turned away from the path of peace to seek the ways of glory and of blood. O Lord, be pleased to turn its course aright again.
We ask you, bring us out of the disasters which we have been made to suffer, and let the nation lie penitent at the feet of God. Oh, that the Christian cause in this realm might prevail—that the Church of God might have a little influence over the worldly mass. Oh, that the time were come when the salt shall more completely flavor all the masses, and the glorious leaven shall work until all the measures of meal are leavened.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“The slacker says, ‘There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!’” (Proverbs 22:13)
When someone does not diligently attend to his business, he is committing great wrong to himself and to others. When a man is slothful as a servant, he is unjust to his employers, and when he is in business on his own account, idleness is usually a wrong to his wife and family.
“There is a lion outside” and therefore the man judges it to be quite right that he should keep his bed, or that he should sit leisurely indoors and should not give himself too much trouble or run any risks, but all this is mere makeup to screen his loathsome vice. No Christian ought to be slothful in his ordinary work.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Give Godly Role Models to Your Children
I’ve been really excited about a new series of kid’s books from The Good Book Company — Do Great Things for God. Each book in this series features a short child-friendly biography of a Christian woman.
I recently received a copy of Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman with a Big Dream and I was blown away by the compelling story of this little-known missionary’s life and service. The storytelling is enjoyable for kids of any age (and their parents!), the illustrations are approachable and beautiful, and the lesson is amazing: Gladys was able to do great things, because her God is great!
I’ve loved reading this biography to my daughter and I’m praying she’ll find great, faithful heroes like Gladys that will point her to a greater and more faithful God.
I hope you’ll grab a copy of Gladys Aylward for your family today.