DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
O you who dwells in the highest heavens, yet also dwells in lowly hearts, make us lowly; set us free from all wrath, and pride, and foul desire, and groveling worldliness. Make us conscious of sin; trembling at you but rejoicing in your mercy; hoping in your salvation; triumphing in your love. Even so, our hearts become a temple, and God, even God, that fills all things, shall come and fill us also, with all the fullness of God.
O God, we cannot live without you. You have spoiled us for the world. We cannot now be content with it; and you have spoiled us for all things short of Jesus. We believe in nothing else but in Jesus, and in all else that we do, we go back with intense delight to the preaching and the hearing of the gospel. There is none like it.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7)
Let us not be mistaken: God never gave us faith to play with. Faith is a sword. But it was not made to exhibit upon a parade ground. It was meant to cut and wound and slay. Whoever has it may expect, between here and heaven, to learn what battle means. God has made nothing in vain; he especially makes nothing in the spiritual kingdom in vain. He made faith with the intent that it should be used to the utmost and exercised to the full. We must expect trial because trial is the element of faith. Faith without trial is like a diamond uncut, the brilliance of which has never been seen. A fish without water or a bird without air is faith without trial. We may surely expect that our faith will be tested.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Find freedom by fearing God.
Today’s prayer did such a great job at balancing the wonder and greatness of God, along with his love and mercy. I was reminded of a book I read last year that has been 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.