DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Just a little longer waiting and we shall come to the golden shore; but a little longer fighting and we shall receive the crown of life that fadeth not away.
Lord get us up above the world. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, and mount and bear us on your wings, far from these inferior sorrows and inferior joys, up where eternal ages roll. May we ascend in joyful contemplation, and may our spirit come back again, strong for all its service, armed for all its battles, armored for all its dangers, and made ready to live heaven on earth, until by-and-bye we shall live heaven in heaven.
Great Father, be with your waiting people, greatly help any in great trouble; sweetly comfort and cheer any who are despondent; bring back and heal their wounds of any who have erred and are smarting under their own sin; give the the desire of our hearts to any who this day are panting after holiness; lead us into ways of usefulness.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“God ascends among shouts of joy, the LORD, with the sound of a trumpet.” (Psalm 47:5)
Faith hears the people already rejoicing. The command given in the first verse is now seen as a reality. The battle is over, and the conqueror ascends to his triumphant chariot, riding towards the gates of a city illuminated by the joy of his return. These words are entirely applicable to the ascension of the Redeemer. The joyful notes of the trumpet signify the grandeur of his triumph. It was fitting to welcome one returning from war with martial music. Fresh from his victory, he ascended, leading captives home. Surely the trumpet announced the glorious news of Immanuel’s triumphant return.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
God’s grace will grow you. Here’s a practical guide.
Today we prayed, looking forward to the day that Jesus would come back to bring us home. While we are waiting for that day, we must not sit back comfortably, but we should STRIVE to root out sin, prepare ourselves for heaven, and become more like Christ. But here’s the thing: we can’t grow in godliness without God’s help.
God didn’t just start your salvation, he’s going to complete it as well. And the path to true growth is not just trying harder, but by pressing deeper into the truths of God’s saving, sanctifying grace.
That’s the point of Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund. In this book, Dane (author of Gentle and Lowly) offers a beautiful, biblical picture of what it looks like to actually grow in godliness. The teaching is incredibly practical and will leave you amazed at the wonder of God’s grace to change you.
I hope you’ll grab a copy of Deeper and use it to slay sin in your life, by God’s grace.