DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
O Lord, imprison us in the grave of Christ today, that within those sacred walls we may find a chamber where our Lord shall manifest himself to us, as he does not unto the world.
O Christ, you are a spring shut up, a fountain sealed to us, and we would be such to you; a garden enclosed for our Beloved, wherein he may take his delights. Our soul shall sing for joy, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine; he feeds among the lilies” (Song of Solomon 6:3).
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“I am my love’s and my love is mine; he feeds among the lilies.” (Song of Solomon 6:3)
The text reminds me, that not only is he mine, but I am his, and to this truth I give my hearty assent. I am his by his Father’s gift, by his own bloody purchase, by his triumphant conquest of my heart, and by my own surrender to him.
Remember, my soul, the solemn dedication which you have made, for you have publicly given yourself to be the Lord’s. Look back to the solemn hour when you did give yourself unreservedly to him, and confess how poorly you have fulfilled your promise and covenant. Adored be the grace which has had patience with an unworthy servant whose false heart has so continually violated the most solemn engagements, and forgotten the most pressing obligations.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Find freedom by fearing God.
Last night, I led a Bible study on Proverbs 1, and when thinking about the meaning of “the fear of the Lord,” I was reminded of a book I read last year that was a HUGE blessing to me.
Rejoice and Tremble: The Surprising Good News of the Fear of the Lord by Michael Reeves is a beautifully helpful guide to understanding and applying the fear of the Lord.
The fear of God is a troubling and confusing phrase for many. We know that it appears all over Scripture, but we don’t know what it means. We know it means more than basic “respect” or “reverence.” But we also don’t feel right running scared from our loving Father.
Reeves shows that the fear of the Lord is not a negative fleeing from God, but a wonder-filled joy in God and all that he is. The fear of God is the path to freedom from all anxiety. When we encounter a grace that’s so stunning and scandalous, fear and trembling is the only proper response!
Reading this book filled my heart with joy and love for the God who must be feared, and I know that it will do the same for you.