DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
There is the natural tendency in us towards that which is evil; and even in the hearts of those who are regenerate, that tendency still struggles for the mastery. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” But still the battle is often very stern; and in the conflict we are made to cry out, “Oh wretched man that I am.”
Lord, by your grace we hate the very thought of sin. O Lord, we have broken all your commandments. We have not loved you with all our heart and soul and strength; nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We are all condemned by that perfect law; and if a sentence were executed upon us, it would only be great justice. Thanks be to your holy name! Many of us have fled to Christ, and you have blotted out our sin.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices and announce his works with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 107:22)
When God heals our sin, let there be gifts as well as words. Let the good Physician have his fee of gratitude. Let life become a sacrifice to him who has prolonged it, let the deed of self-denying gratitude be repeated again and again. There must be many cheerful sacrifices to celebrate the marvelous help.
“And declare his works with rejoicing.” Such things are worth telling, for the personal declaration honors God, relieves ourselves, comforts others, and puts all men in possession of facts concerning the divine goodness which they will not be able to ignore.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
We need to stop living for ourselves
Today we prayed, lamenting the sin and selfishness that dominates our hearts, and praising God for the deliverance that we have in Christ.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always our experience today. We frequently hoard our blessings instead of pouring them out on others — this is not God’s design, so we can’t keep living that way.
That’s the point of Something Needs to Change by David Platt. This book is an incredible testimony and devotional, sharing both biblical truth about God’s heart for the nations and his plan for your life, as well as David’s own experience coming face-to-face with urgent physical and spiritual need in the Himalayas.
Warning: this book will challenge you and shake you out of your comfort zone. But the good news is that it will make you take up your call to be a blessing to all nations. I know that it will encourage you, so I’ll hope you’ll buy a copy today.
Buy Something Needs to Change:
- Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, or audiobook* editions)
- ChristianBook.com (Paperback or ebook edition)