Pray with Spurgeon

Daily Newsletter from SpurgeonBooks

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…” (Ephesians 1:5)

Sonship with God is a dignity unspeakable, and yet it is reserved for such poor dust and ashes as we are. What shall we say concerning this? Are we not swallowed up with adoring gratitude? Unto which of the angels has he said at any time, “You are my son?” but this has been said to us; and we are thus favored above all creatures that the Lord God has made. Boundless blessings are included in sonship: it is no light thing to be a child of the Lord of Hosts, the Prince of the kings of the earth.

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS

This week, we’re praying for the Batahin of Sudan.

Missionaries who might serve among the Batahin, will have to adapt to harsh living conditions, travel regularly, and build long-term relationships grounded in humility, patience, and trust.

Pray that God would prepare the missionaries who will one day go.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

One with the Son of God

This week, our prayers have been focusing on the topic of our adoption — we are made sons of God through the work of Jesus. Today’s verse of the day shows HOW God adopts us: by united us to his Son.

Union with Christ is a crucial theme in Christian theology (this is how God saves us!), but many people aren’t aware of this doctrine. Do you know what it means to be “in Christ” or “one with Christ?”

A phenomenal resource to help you understand this doctrine is Union with Christ: An Evangelical Theology of Salvation by Marcus Peter Johnson. This is a very helpful book that will leave you amazed at the wonderful work God has done to save you. I can’t think of any better summer reading than this!

Buy Union with Christ:

• Amazon (Paperback or Kindle editions)

• ChristianBook (Paperback or ebook editions)

FAITH’S CHECKBOOK

Spurgeon’s classic devotional, The Chequebook of the Bank of Faith, contains a promise of God for every day of the year. Pray with Spurgeon Plus subscribers receive the daily readings every weekday.

If you want to strengthen your faith in God’s promises (and support this ministry!), subscribe to Pray with Spurgeon Plus here.

“I will take you to be my wife forever. I will take you to be my wife in righteousness, justice, love, and compassion. I will take you to be my wife in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.” (Hosea 2:19–20)

Betrothed to the Lord! What an honor and a joy! My soul, is Jesus indeed yours by his own humble betrothal? Then you can know that this is forever. He will never break his engagement or divorce a soul united to him in marriage bonds.

Three times the Lord says, “I will take you to be my wife.” This engagement is characterized by “righteousness, justice, love, and compassion.” Righteousness comes in to make the covenant legal; no one can forbid this marriage announcement. Justice approves the alliance with its decree; no one can see folly or error in the match. Love proves that this is a loving union, for without love marriage is bondage and not blessedness. Meanwhile, compassion smiles, and even sings, because of the abounding grace of this holy union.

God’s faithfulness is the clerk which records the marriage and the Holy Spirit says “Amen” to it, as he promises to teach the betrothed heart all the sacred knowledge needed for its high destiny.

Something to think about today if you’re feeling forgotten: God has united you to himself through Christ.