DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Our hearts go out to those who disregard Divine matters. May you make an impression upon them! Let your truth reach their conscience like a stray arrow. May thoughts of death and eternity crash over their souls like mighty waves, impossible to resist. Illuminate their conscience with the light of heaven. Make them question their position and future. Lead them to turn to you with hearts resolved.
Others falter between two choices, halting between faith and doubt. Some we hold dear in the flesh have not yet chosen God. Their fate teeters on the brink. We cast your cross before them, Jesus, and ask that you tip the scales. Let irresistible love surge forth and conquer hearts that have resisted even the mightiest assaults of the law. May those who remained untouched by the furnace of Sinai be melted by the beams of love from the tearful eyes of Jesus!
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.” (Psalm 51:18–19)
In those days of joyful prosperity, your saints will offer rich and holy thank offerings in great abundance, and you will be pleased to accept them. A saved soul expects its prayers to be answered with a revived church, and then we are assured that God will be greatly glorified.
Though we no longer offer sacrifices for sin, our solemn praises and gifts are acceptable thank offerings to God through Jesus Christ. We may not offer the smallest things; rather, we present our best possessions—our bulls. We are glad that at this present time, we can fulfill the declaration of this verse. We also anticipate days of divine presence when the church of God, with unspeakable joy, will present gifts upon the altar of God, surpassing anything witnessed in these less enthusiastic times. Lord, hasten this day.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
God’s Grace for Parents of Children Identifying as LGBT*
Parents, our greatest hope is not our ability to change our children, but the grace of God. God’s sovereign grace has saved us, and the God of all grace will continue to comfort us and sustain us no matter what trials we face in parenting.
A unique challenge that parents are facing in our day is shepherding children who struggle with LGBT identities.
This struggle can cause incredible pain and confusion in our children.
It causes incredible pain and confusion for parents too.
But at the same time, God is a gracious comforter to all of us in our sin, suffering, and confusion.
Parents need to remember — and cling to — this reality as their children wrestle with LGBT identities.
And a great resource to help parents remember this is Shattered Dreams, New Hopes — a FREE Bible study curriculum from Harvest USA.
This resource offers grace-saturated comfort from God’s Word for parents walking through the trial of a child identifying as LGBT.
Here’s what to look forward to…
- Use this study in a group, one-on-one, or on your own
- Understand biblically (not just psychologically/culturally) why your child has adopted this identity
- Find compassion as you navigate this difficult season
- Discover practical guidance for moving toward your child with grace and truth (without driving them away)
- Remember the hope of Christ, powerfully working, even in the darkest of days
If you have a child struggling with an LGBT identity (or someone you know has a child like this), then PLEASE check out this free resource.