DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
We long to distance ourselves from the world, even its memory, and to commune with the world to come by speaking with him who was, is, and is to come, the Almighty. Lord, we have been often burdened and weary with cares, but with you, care finds its end. All things are with you, and when we dwell in you, we live in abundance, in unwavering peace, in perpetual joy.
We grapple with the errors and unrighteousness of humankind, but when we turn to you, there we find truth, purity, and holiness, and our hearts find peace. Most of all, we contend with ourselves and feel great shame in our weakness and foolishness. Yet, when we shift our focus from self to God, we encounter truth, purity, and holiness, and our hearts discover peace, wisdom, fulfillment, delight, joy, and victory.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12)
If you cease to think that which is evil, you will also cease to speak evil. If I speak evil of my brother, I have condemned the law which bids me love him as I love myself; I have practically said that it is an absurd law, and an unrighteous law; and this is a great evil in God’s sight.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
A devotional to help you run from sin and cling to Christ
Often, the biggest cause of fear in our lives is questioning the truth of God’s forgiveness. But God wants us to have confidence that our sins are forgiven, to help us know that we are forgiven of our sin by the great mercy of Christ.
One resource that’s been helpful as I’ve studied God’s Word and his promise of forgiveness is Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy by Paul Tripp. This book features 52 short devotionals (one for every week of the year) on Psalm 51. This is an incredible resource to help you remember the horrors of your sin and the wonders of God’s amazing grace.
You could read the book over the next few months with just five minutes a day, or read one devotional each week for the next year. I can’t think of a better way to spend your time than reflecting on God’s mercy towards broken sinners like us.
I hope you’ll buy a copy and enjoy mediating on God’s unending mercy with me.