Losing what we hold dear

🛐 Daily Prayer: "It may be that some creature comfort is nearer to us than our God. We had better have been without it, and have dwelt in God, and have found our joy in him."

Author

SpurgeonBooks
August 08, 2024

Pray with Spurgeon

Daily Newsletter from SpurgeonBooks

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

Our Father, we would first ask you whether you have anything against us as your children. Have we been asking something of you wrongly, and have you given us that which we have sought? We are not conscious of it, but it may be so; and now we are brought, as an answer to our presumptuous prayers, into a more difficult position than the one we occupied before. It may be that some creature comfort is nearer to us than our God. We had better have been without it, and have dwelt in God, and have found our joy in him. But now, Lord, in these perilous circumstances, give us grace that we may not turn away from you.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“You have covered yourself with a cloud so that no prayer can get through.” (Lamentations 3:44)

True saints have continued in patient waiting for months, and there have been instances in which their prayers have even waited years without reply—not because they were not fervent, or because they were unaccepted, but because it so pleased him who is a sovereign and who gives according to his own pleasure. If it pleases him to require our patience to exercise itself, will he not do as he wills with his own?

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

A Lifeline for Suffering Christians

This week, as we reflect on the theme of unanswered prayers, I’m reminded of the gut-wrenchingly honest prayers in Scripture. Many of the Psalms are almost embarrassing to read, as the psalmists seem to suggest that God doesn’t really care about them at all. However, a careful reading of these psalms gives us a stunning picture of God’s grace for his suffering people.

Recently, I read the short book When Pain is Real and God Seems Silent by Ligon Duncan which unpacks two of the most difficult of these psalms (Psalm 88 and 89). This short book (originally preached as two sermons) is so encouraging. It will help you understand how to read and apply the laments of Scripture and fill you with solid hope in Jesus.

This book has been a blessing to me, I’m confident it will encourage you as well.