DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Our heavenly Father, we come before you now washed in the blood, wearing the snow white robe of Christ’s righteousness, and we ask you to remember your people. Some are very burdened; lighten the burden or strengthen the shoulder. Some are bowed down with fear; perhaps they mistrust you; forgive the mistrust and give a great increase of faith that they may trust you where they cannot trace you.
The Lord remember any who bear the burden of others. Some cry to you day and night about the sins of the times, about the wanderings of your church. Lord, hear our prayers! We would bear this yoke for you, but help us to bear it without fearing so as to distrust you. May we know that you will take care of your own case and preserve your own truth, and may we therefore be restful about it all.
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“So her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’” (Matthew 1:19–20)
He could not but feel very anxious, and no doubt he prayed about these things both day and night. God would not leave the honour of the chosen virgin-mother without protection. Soon Joseph had the best of guidance.
The Lord very graciously removed all suspicion from Joseph’s mind, and thus provided for the honor of the mother, and for the comfort of the holy child. If Jesus is born in our hearts, we shall have trouble; but the Lord will witness that Christ is ours, and he will surely bear us through.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Christmas Gift Idea for a Creative Christian
If you have a friend who is a doodler or a dreamer, they will be really blessed to receive a copy of Draw Near: Your Creative Spiritual Journal by Sophie Killingley. This book is filled with creative-prompts (based on Psalm 103 and Ephesians 1) to encourage deeper spiritual reflection.
It also has extra pages for sermon notes, habit trackers, and blank bullet journal pages.