Pray with Spurgeon

Daily Newsletter from SpurgeonBooks

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart…” (Psalm 24:3–4)

The man who will go to heaven is the clean man, the man who has been washed from his sins in the blood of the Lamb; and he is clean just where he was most likely to be foul, he has “clean hands.” Grace has enabled him to touch the things of the world without receiving a stain from them, and to touch holy things without defiling them. This expression, “clean hands,” refers to his outward life; but he is also clean inside, for he has “a pure heart.” If a man were clean as to his actions, but not clean as to his motives, he would not be fit to enter heaven.

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS

This week, we’re praying for the Lao Lom of Thailand.

Like most people in Thailand, the Lao Lom believe in many spirits that require constant offerings to prevent disaster and torment.

Pray that the Lao Lom would hear the good news that Jesus is the Lord of all spirits.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Don’t forget: Order your FREE book from The Voice of the Martyrs this month*

Extreme Devotion from The Voice of The Martyrs is an epic book collecting 365 super-short stories of persecution and Christian sacrifice around the world. (They’ll mail you a FREE copy this month!!)

These daily 3-minute readings will strengthen your faith and your love for Jesus.

In one sense, this book is really EASY to read. The stories are short and accessible (even if you’re not a big reader or very informed about persecution of Christians in other cultures). There are reflection points at the end of each daily reading to help you unpack what you read.

In another sense, this book is really DANGEROUS to read. These are not stories that you can read and walk away from. These are testimonies that will show you how costly following Jesus can be. And when you see the bold faithfulness of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, you’ll know more than ever that Christ is worthy.

(While I called it “dangerous,” this mindset is actually the safest way to live.)

This month, The Voice of the Martyrs is giving away FREE physical copies of Extreme Devotion to Pray with Spurgeon readers (USA only). Request your copy today.

Order your FREE copy of Extreme Devotion here.

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.

“Don’t say, ‘I will avenge this evil!’ Wait on the LORD, and he will rescue you.” (Proverbs 20:22)

Do not be in haste; let anger cool down. Say nothing and do nothing to avenge yourself. You will be sure to act unwisely if you fight your own battles and, certainly, you will not show the spirit of the Lord Jesus. It is nobler to forgive, and let the offense pass. To let an injury fester in your heart and to plan out revenge is to keep old wounds open and to make new ones. It is better to forget and forgive.

Perhaps you say that you must do something or be a great loser; then do what this morning’s promise advises: “Wait on the LORD, and he will rescue you.” This advice will not cost you six-and-eight-pence* but it is worth far more. Be calm and quiet. Wait upon the Lord; tell him your grievance: spread Rabshakeh’s letter before the Lord (a threat given to the people of God in 2 Kings 18:19–35) and just this simple act will ease your burdened mind. Besides the comfort of prayer, there is the promise that “he will rescue you.” God will find a way of deliverance for you. How he will do it in a way that we could never guess, but he will do it. If the Lord saves you, this will be a deal better than getting into petty quarrels and covering yourself with filth by wrestling with the unclean. Do not be angry any more. Leave your case with the judge of all.

Something to think about today if you’re feeling wronged: God sees the truth with perfect clarity and will make every wrong thing right again.

*In Spurgeon’s day, someone would have to pay a fee of six-and-eight-pence in order to remove a criminal for burial after hanging. By using this common phrase here, Spurgeon is saying that forgiveness is more free than hanging your enemies.