DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
May there be a people found in this place, and throughout this land, that will abide by the doctrines of the gospel, come what may. May we not be ashamed to be old fashioned, and to be thought fanatical. May we not wish to be thought cultured, nor aim to keep abreast of the times. May we be side by side with you, O bleeding Savior; and be content to be rejected, be willing to take up unpopular truth, and to hold fast despised teachings of sacred Scriptures even to the end. Oh make us faithful—faithful unto death.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)
I am glad the apostles were not perfect men. Otherwise they would have understood all that Jesus said at once, and we would have lost our Lord’s instructive explanations. They would also have lived above all trouble of mind, and then the Master would not have said to them these golden words, “Don’t let your heart be troubled.” The Lord takes no delight in the doubt and disquietude of his people. He would not have us sad. Great personal sorrows may well be an excuse if the griefs of others are somewhat overlooked. Yet although Jesus was going to his last bitter agony, and to death itself, he overflowed with sympathy for his followers.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
A devotional to prepare for Good Friday.
Today’s prayer asked God to help us endure to the end — to suffer for the gospel, just as Jesus did. This is what Jesus came to do — to die for his people. As we approach Good Friday and Easter, it’s important for us to slow down and think like this about why Christ died and why he rose again. Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die by John Piper is an excellent devotional for considering the cost and the reward of the cross.
The book offers fifty short devotionals, each explaining a different reason Jesus came to die. Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die is a great devotional to focus your heart on Christ and his cross.
There’s only a few days left until Good Friday, but this is a great time to dedicate extra time to remembering Jesus’ sufferings. I know this book will encourage you, so I hope you’ll grab a copy today.