DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Our Father, we wish this morning to come to you anew in Christ Jesus. Many of us can look back to the happy moment when first we saw the law fulfilled in Christ, wrath appeased, death destroyed, sin forgiven, and our souls saved. Oh it was a happy morning—a blessed time. Never did the sun seem to shine so brightly as then, when we beheld the Sun of Righteousness, and basked in his light.
Many days have passed since then with some of us, and every day we have had proofs of the faithfulness of God to the gospel of his Son. We have proved the power of Jesus’ blood for daily cleansing; we have proved the power of his Divine Spirit for daily teaching, guidance, and sanctification; and now we want no other rock to build upon, than that which we have built upon; we desire no other hope, nor even to dream of any other, but that hope which you have set before us in the gospel, to which hope we have fled for refuge, and which hope we still have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall.” (Malachi 4:2)
Child of God in the dark, in prison, ungrowing and unhappy, what a promise is here for you! “The Sun of righteousness shall arise.” His rising is to do it all, there is nothing for you to do, no works for you to perform in order to get the needed blessing.
As soon as ever this sun is up and Christ begins to shine upon his people, they enjoy a clear light. They were in the dark before, but they are in the light now. The Sun of righteousness, when it rises on those that fear the Lord, gives them healing.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Teach your children that Christ has come to make all things new
Today we prayed that God would remind us and refresh us with the good news that Christ came to save and make all things new.
A great resource for sharing this good news with your kids is The Biggest Story: How the Snake Crusher Brings Us Back to the Garden by Kevin DeYoung. This book tells the grand, overarching story of the Bible in a way that will leave you (and your kids) eagerly longing for Christ to come back.
The story is beautifully told and is accessible for the youngest, but mature enough for older kids as well. And the illustrations are incredible — they are absolutely beautiful and full of biblical symbolism. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself pulling it out after the kids are in bed to pour over the illustrations.
This is one of my family’s favorite books. I hope it will be blessing to your family as well.