Pray with Spurgeon

Daily Newsletter from SpurgeonBooks

DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)

We adore and bless and magnify our God; not only for what you are to us, but for what you are in yourself, for you are incomparably glorious. In you, all perfections shine. Through the rebellion of our flesh we cannot delight ourselves in your ways, because they are hard and afflictive apparently; yet we do delight in you, and we will at all times rest our souls in the excellence and goodness and lovingkindness of the Most High.

Amen.

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials…” (James 1:2)

 Do not be sorry about it, be thankful for it. The gold should be glad to be put into the crucible; the Christian should rejoice to be tested and tried.

JOY FOR PARENTS

Celebrate Christmas with Spurgeon's best sermons.

This week Pray with Spurgeon is focusing on joy and rejoicing in God. As a parent, one of the greatest earthly sources of joy to me is my kids. This is a good way to feel, for children are a blessing (Psalm 127). However, our kids can often disappoint us. Proverbs 10:1 puts it this way: “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.”

If your children have brought you “heartache” this week, know that no temptation has come to you that is not common among men. Fathers and mothers have been experiencing heartache since Cain rose up against his brother (Genesis 4). In our fallen world, parenting has always been emotionally tumultuous.

What does this verse say is the remedy for the heartaches of parenting? A wise son. Our children’s foolishness is what breaks our hearts, and wisdom will free us (and them). Wisdom is not merely knowing more facts, but seeing the world the same way that God does, and it begins with “the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7).

Our parenting heartaches aren’t caused by our children’s bad behavior, but their separation from the Lord. What our children need more than anything is God, in his grace, to work in their hearts. And, friends, he loves to do that.

Wise sons will fill your heart with joy — so teach them true wisdom by reading the Bible to them every day. The family devotionals from God Centered Family will give you everything you need to lead your kids to follow Christ.

Learn more and get started today.