Encouragement from Spurgeon

Though he is now with Christ, Charles Spurgeon continues to be a source of encouragement to me in my walk with the Lord.  How amazing that the seekers that went before us and the love and grace of God in them continues to be used.  His sermons are rich and always Christ exalting.  And even in his compilation of devotions, Morning and Evening, a word here, a sentence there still speaks as the "cloud of witnesses" to us who still have breath, to help us in our weariness or weakness to "walk with perseverance the race marked out for us."  Enjoy a few gems from recent devotions in October.  May you be encouraged as well!

“I will love them freely.”  Hosea 14:4

This is a death blow to all sorts of fitness.  “Lord, but my heart is hard!”  “I will love you freely.”  “But, Lord, I do not feel my need of Christ as I wish.”  “I do not love you because you feel your need.  I will love you freely.”  There are no conditions; the covenant of grace has no conditionality whatsoever!

“He shall take of Mine and shall show it to you.” John 16:15

We are too thirsty, too fain to crawl to the water brook.  A soldier is wounded in battle; it is of little use for him to know that there are those who can bind up wounds and medicines to ease pain.  He must be carried.  (Like the paralytic through the roof.)  The Spirit of truth takes the things of Jesus and applies them to us. If you labor under deep distress, the Father does not give you promises to make you drag up your heavy buckets from the well in your weakened state.  He has written them in His word and will write them on your heart.  He will manifest His love to you and by His blessed Spirit, dispel your cares and troubles.  Glorious gospel!  Which provides everything for the helpless, which draw nigh to us when we cannot reach after it—brings us grace before we seek for grace.

“He began to wash the disciple’s feet.”  John 13:5

What condescending patience when the Savior, with much long sufferings bear the oft recurring follies of His wayward disciples; day by day, hour by hour, washing away multiplied transgressions of His erring yet beloved child.  To dry up a flood of rebellion is something marvelous, but to endure the constant dripping of repeated offenses, to bear with a perpetual trying of patience, this is Divine indeed!!

“For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us and shall be with us forever.”  2 John 2

The truth of God, once entered into the human heart and subdue it—NO power can dislodge!  We entertain it not as a guest but the master of the house.  Let us war with error—let us love and spread the truth!”

Ruth 2:3

God is very good to those who trust in Him and often surprises them with unlooked for blessings.  Chance is banished from the faith of Christians, for they see the hand of God in everything!  This is a weary world when Jesus is away!  We would do without the sun and the moon than without Him!!  But how divinely fair all things become in the glory of His presence.