Pray with Spurgeon

Daily Newsletter from SpurgeonBooks

VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8)

Why are we here? Would God keep his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battle-field when one charge might give them the victory? Why are his children still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from his lips would bring them into the centre of their hopes in heaven? The answer is—they are here that they may “live unto the Lord,” and may bring others to know his love. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for him, and as “workers together with him.”

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS

This week, we’re praying for the Dangarik in Pakistan.

The Dangariks are livestock herders, but they do not have enough water for their herds or families. They do not have regular access to clean water or electricity.

Pray that Christians would help meet the Dangarik’s needs — including their deepest need to be right with God.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Because your kids belong to God

This week, we’re reflecting on the reality that WE belong to God. This is just as true for our kids as it is for us. Ultimately, they are not “our kids,” they are God’s kids whom he has entrusted to us. Because this is true, we have a pressing duty to parent our kids towards God — pointing them to him at every opportunity.

One of the most important things that ANY family can do is gather together once a day and hear from God himself as he has spoken in the Bible.

Of course, a daily habit of family Bible reading that’s meaningful, engaging, and unifying may seem easier said than done. If that’s true for you, I hope you’ll check out God Centered Family.

When you subscribe to God Centered Family, you’ll get everything you need to have a daily time in God’s Word with kids of any age that’s interactive, meaningful for everyone, and centered on Jesus.

Your kids belongs to God — make him the center of your family.

Subscribe to God Centered Family today.

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 have chosen you in the furnace of misery.” (Isaiah 48:10, LEB)

For a long time, this verse has hung on the wall of my bedroom. In many ways it has also been written on my heart. It is no small thing to be chosen by God. It is better to be the elect of God than the elect of a whole nation. This privilege is so incredible that we very joyfully accept whatever drawback may be added to it, even as the Jewish people ate the bitter herbs for the sake of the Passover lamb. We choose the furnace since God chooses us in it.

We are chosen as an afflicted people and not as a prosperous people; we are not chosen in the palace, but in the furnace. In the furnace, beauty is marred, fashion is destroyed, strength is melted, glory is consumed, and yet here eternal love reveals its secrets and declares its choice. This has been proven true in our case. During our most severe trials, God has made our calling and election plain to us and we have made it sure. We have chosen the Lord to be our God and he has shown that we are assuredly his chosen. Therefore, if the furnace is heated seven times hotter today, we will not dread it, for the glorious Son of God will walk with us amid the glowing coals.

Something to think about today if you’re feeling forgotten by God in the midst of trials: God has chosen you in your suffering.