Pray with Spurgeon

Daily Newsletter from SpurgeonBooks

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.” (Colossians 2:14–15)

To the eyes of reason, the cross is the center of sorrow and the lowest depth of shame as Jesus dies an evildoer’s death. How different, however, is the view that presents itself to the eyes of faith. Faith knows no shame in the cross. It sees no ground for scorn; but it hurls indignant scorn at sin, the enemy that pierced the Lord. Faith regards the cross not as the emblem of shame but as the token of glory. It tells us that the cross was Jesus Christ’s field of triumph. There he fought and there he conquered, too.

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS

TThis week, we’re praying for the Tai Khang of China and Laos.

The Chinese Communist Party, the ruling party of China, restricts the spread of the true gospel.

Pray that the leaders of the CCP will repent. Pray that Christians would continue to spread the true gospel boldly, no matter what human rulers say.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

What was the cross actually like?

As we’ve prayed and reflected on the cross of Christ this week, I hope you’re realizing that we should never stop remembering and reflecting on the death of our Lord. This really is a big deal to our faith.

Another great resource to help you continue to deepen your understanding of the cross is Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus by D.A. Carson.

This book unpacks five passages of Scripture to help you understand what was happening when Jesus died and why it matters. This is a rich Bible study that will help you see the cross more clearly and love Jesus more dearly.

Buy Scandalous:

• Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, or audiobook editions)

• ChristianBook (Paperback, ebook, or audiobook 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 pour out my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your offspring.” (Isaiah 44:3)

Our dear children have not the Spirit of God by nature, as we plainly see. We see much in them which makes us worry about their future and this drives us to agonizing prayer. We would sooner see our daughters Hannahs (1 Samuel 1–2) than empresses. This verse should greatly encourage us. It follows the words, “Do not fear, Jacob my servant” (Isaiah 44:2) and it certainly should banish our fears.

The Lord will give his Spirit. He will give it plentifully, pouring it out; will give it in power so that it shall be a real and eternal blessing. Under this divine outpouring our children shall come forward, and “this one will say, ‘I am the LORD’s;’ another will use the name of Jacob” (Isaiah 44:5).

This is one of those promises that the Lord invites us to ask him for. Should we not, at set times, in a specific manner, pray for our offspring? We cannot give them new hearts, but the Holy Spirit can and he is easy to make requests to. The great Father takes pleasure in the prayers of fathers and mothers.

Have we any dear ones outside of the ark? Let us not rest until they are shut in with us by the Lord’s own hand.

Something to think about today if you’re feeling anxious about your kids: God cares about them more than you do.