Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: March 13

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Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: March 13

Today is: Thursday, December 26th, 2024 (Show Today's Devotion)

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Morning

“Unto you that believe He is precious.”

1Pe_2:1-10

1Pe_2:2-3

desire the sincere or unadulterated

1Pe_2:2-3

That is to say, if we be indeed believers, God has bestowed upon us a spiritual and incorruptible life; therefore, let us have done with the evil fruits of the old nature. We are born into a new world, let us cast aside the defiled and leprous garments of our former condition. Anger, deceit, and slander, are as unbecoming in a Christian as the cerements of the grave would be unfit for a living man. It is ours, henceforth, to live upon the truth and to practise it, to rejoice in a gracious God, and act graciously ourselves. We desire to know the word of God, that by its sustaining power the life within us may be nurtured and made to advance to perfection.

1Pe_2:4-5

We desire to be holy because we are so near akin to our Lord Jesus. He is the foundation, and we are the stones of the spiritual building. Men may rail at us, as they did at him, but God has chosen us, and we are precious in his sight, even as Jesus is; hence we desire to live as consecrated persons, in whom God dwells, whose whole business is to present sacrifices unto the Lord. As is the foundation, such should all the building be: upon the living, chosen, precious foundation, there ought to be built up a church of lively, choice, and holy spirits.

1Pe_2:6

This is good cheer for us who believe in him: let us be bold because of it, and never for a moment hesitate to confess Christ before men.

1Pe_2:7-8

But he does not say how precious. This is more than tongue or pen could tell. Verily, the Lord Jesus is all in all, and more than all to his people

1Pe_2:7-8

It is clear that none can be neutral, we must either feel Jesus to be precious or else we shall stumble at him: and, if we are so disobedient as to be offended at the Lord, our unbelief will not injure him, for God has ordained him to be the headstone of the corner; nor will it disarrange the purposes of God, for in them there is a dark place for the rebel as well as a bright spot for the believer.

1Pe_2:9

As a family, let us remember how the Lord has favoured us in his grace, and let each saved one among us remember whereunto he is called. Chosen, royal, priestly, peculiar, and beloved of heaven,—what manner of persons ought we to be? We ought to be far better than others, for the Lord has dealt so much better with us. May rich grace rest upon us, and cause us to show forth the praises of our God.

1Pe_2:10

We were outcast Gentiles, who were counted as little better than dogs: how grateful ought we to be that we now enjoy the same portion as the favoured people of old. Lord, cleanse us from all sin, and make us a family separated to thy service.

Oh might this worthless heart of mine,

The Saviour’s temple be!

Emptied of every love but thine,

And shut to all but thee!

I long to find thy presence there,

I long to see thy face;

Almighty Lord, my heart prepare

The Saviour to embrace.

Evening

“Honour thy father and mother.”

Eph_6:1-10

Eph_6:1

It is right according to nature, that those who have so long cared for children and nourished them, should be obeyed by them, and it is right also according to the will of God. It is right for the house, which cannot else be kept in order; and right for the children themselves, who will never be happy till they have learned to obey. Yet observe there is a limit—children are to obey “in the Lord,” that is to say, so far as the commands of parents are not opposed to the laws of God.

Eph_6:3

It has been observed that God frequently prospers those who have shown a dutiful attention to their parents; at any rate, such children are in the right way, and we all know that the way of duty is the way of safety and happiness. On the other hand, unkindness to parents has often been remarkably punished in this life. Nothing shortens life like rebellion against parents. Absalom is a prominent instance of this general rule. Moreover, this sin is a dreadful sign of a graceless nature. He who does not love and honour his father and mother whom he hath seen, certainly does not love the Lord whom he hath not seen.

Eph_6:4

Undue harshness, and irritating severity are here forbidden, but holy discipline and religious training are commanded. Wise fathers will take note of this verse; it is not addressed to mothers, because they seldom, if ever, err on the side of severity. Fathers must not be ill-humoured and morose to their sons and daughters, nor must they exact from them more service than they can render, nor ridicule them, nor show partiality to one above another, nor stint them in necessaries, for this is to provoke them to anger.

Eph_6:5

or with diffident anxiety and self-distrust

Eph_6:6

Those who need looking after are but poor servants. True Christians care more for God’s eye than their master’s or mistress’s observation, and they do their duty as well alone as they would with all eyes upon them. It is a mean thing to be diligent only when one is watched; it is a vice only fit for slaves.

Beautifully does George Herbert put it—

“

All may of thee partake

Nothing can be so mean

Which with this tincture (for thy sake)

Will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this cause

Makes drudgery divine

Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws

Makes that and th’ action fine.”

Eph_6:7-9

Masters are not to use a continual faultfinding and threatening tone, but to act towards servants as Jesus, their Master, has acted towards them.

The Apostle does not speak against the various distinctions of society, but he would have us act rightly in them. May our household always be a happy one, because each one seeks the happiness of the rest, and does so by keeping his own place, and behaving towards others in the spirit of love.

Happy the home where Jesus’ name

Is sweet to every ear;

Where children early lisp his fame,

And parents hold him dear.

Lord, let us in this home agree,

That thou alone shalt reign,

For those who love and worship thee,

In joyous peace remain.