Friday, January 2, 2009
Morning and Evening: 01/03
Friday, January 02, 2009—posted by Frank Rabinovitch
» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible
Morning:
I will give thee for a covenant of the people. - Isaiah 49:8
Spurgeon asks us to contemplate the gift of Christ, Who is 'sum and substance of the covenant.' Could I summarize Spurgeon, who himself summarizes major points of the revelation of God about our Messiah? Extolling the manifest virtue of the Christ is a worthy task - but one that will take an eternity to even begin!
John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
Could I encourage our body to read Jesus' prayer in John 17, especially verses 21-23? It shows the heart of Jesus, toward the Father, and toward us.
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
Evening:
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. - Luke 3:4
Spurgeon writes a thoughtful devotional for us here, finding spiritual application: our hearts must be prepared for the Lord as well, by the grace of God.
Luke records the exhortation of John the Baptist, as he was preaching the baptism of repentance in the country about the Jordan river. John uses the words of Isaiah the prophet from Isaiah 40:3-4. The Hebrew is worthy of careful study.
It is important to note that Spurgeon is writing to believers in Christ. He writes
The rough places shall be made smooth. Stumbling-blocks of sin must be removed.
The work of 'smoothing the rough places' is the refining work of Christ in a life (ours!) devoted to Him. Let no person read these words and say "I'm not good enough to come to Christ - I must rid my life of sin first, and then I will come to Him". For
Psalm 34:18. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
I could wish that Spurgeon had extended his commentary to include the next verse from Luke 3:6 (which is also in Isaiah 40:5):
And all flesh shall see it.
One of the most joyful verses in the Bible!
Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon
posted by Frank Rabinovitch|
4 Comments
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4 Comments:
This mornings reading was so encouraging. To think that the characteristics of Christ's life throughout the gospels, and the love from the father that those attributes enticed, are now what my heavenly father sees when he looks upon me. Not only have I gained the very righteousness of Christ, but also the very love of God that those attributes attract.
What an awesome reading this morning. A fantastic gift Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, Reverence gave us. To start and end your day thinking and reading of God's love for us. Thank you
God opposes the proud but gives GRACE to the humble (Jas 4:6). I like Spurgeon's break down of the Isaiah passage quoted by Luke. "Divine fellowship is never vouchsafed to haughty, highminded sinners. The Lord hath respect unto the lowly, and visits the contrite in heart." I am learning that right motives are crucial to overcoming sin in my life (sinning less not sinless). If my motive is my glory (pride) then I will remain in sin but if my desire is God's glory than freedom can be won through humility.
Praise God that Jesus is our covenant (Isa 48:) and that our New Covenant is not dependent on anything but faith.
He is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2).
He is able to keep me from stumbling (Jud 24).
Praise God that our salvation is from Him and not of ourselves.
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