Pray with Spurgeon: God’s face brings us endless joy

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DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Oh, make our joy today to be like Jabez, of whom we read that he was more honorable than his brethren because his mother bore him with sorrow (1 Chronicles 4:9). Oh, that the sorrow pang might bring forth today in your people some new joys, some blessed novelty of fellowship, that we may enter yet more and more into the secret places and tabernacles of the Most High, and dwell beneath the shadow of the Almighty.

O Lord, your people want this; nothing can so strengthen comfort, lighten, sanctify and perfect us as this. Are we earth bound? Oh, for your presence, and we shall be of a heavenly mind. Are we deeply depressed in spirit? Oh, for the light of your face, for it shall make us gladder than a wedding day. Oh that we might get to you, our God, for then shall the bonds of this world seem like cobwebs and disappear.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44)

The mere fact of receiving honor, even if that honor is rightly rendered, can make faith in Christ difficult. We can come to feel that we are something when others honor us, and this is dangerous, for we won’t believe in Jesus until we know we are nothing in and of ourselves. If others praise us, if they dwell on our good points, if they pay respect to our position, if they notice our abilities and talents, we are apt to think there should be some special way to heaven for us because we are so respected. And when the gospel says, “You must be saved as a sinner or not at all. You must give up all claims of merit and all reliance on what you can do, or else you never can be saved,” then, in all probability, the mere fact of our having received honor from other people will render it the more difficult for us to believe a doctrine that gives no honor to people but stains the pride of all glory and casts human excellency into the dust.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Dive into the glories of Jesus by studying the Bible

I’m currently preparing to preach through the Letter to the Hebrews next year. I’m REALLY excited to be diving into this book and better understand its message: how rightly seeing Jesus motivates us to persevere in faith.

One resource that I’m thankful for already is Hebrews for You by Michael Kruger. This is a simple commentary that can help readers of any level better understand and apply the book of Hebrews. It’s written for any Christian to use and benefit from, not just pastors or seminary graduates.

A few things I love about this book: really clear explanation of the biblical text (without skipping over the tricky parts!), a glossary with definitions of key words, reflection questions throughout each chapter, and more.

Kruger is a great New Testament scholar and such an incredibly clear writer. This book is such a valuable resource.

If you’re looking for a guide to help you better understand the Bible and love Jesus more, Hebrews for You will be a great resource. I hope you’ll pick up a copy today and study Hebrews with me.

Buy Hebrews for You: