Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: March 14

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Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: March 14


Today is: Friday, April 19th, 2024 (Show Today's Devotion)

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Morning

“
Thy word have I hid in my heart.”

Psa_119:1-16

We will now read a part of Psalms 119, that longest of the Psalms, which Luther professed to prize so highly that he would not take the whole world in exchange for one leaf of it. Bishop Cowper called it “a Holy A Alphabet.” Philip Henry recommended his children to take a verse of it every morning “and meditate upon it, and so go over the Psalm twice in a year, and that will bring you to be in love with all the rest of Scripture.” May such an excellent result follow our reading.

Psa_119:1

Men defile themselves with sin: the only clean walking is in the path of obedience. Such holy walkers enjoy a blessedness which neither wealth nor rank could bestow upon them. This Psalm, like the Sermon on the Mount, begins with benedictions. Our holy religion teems with blessings.

Psa_119:3

Where the whole heart loves the testimonies of God, the whole life will be sanctified, and no habit of evil will be tolerated. Yet even those who keep his testimonies, have still need to seek him more and more. They are perfect in intention, but absolute perfection they have not attained.

Psa_119:5

What a mercy when God’s precept and our prayer tally so well. These two verses show us that what God would have his people to be, they also desire to be. He works in them to will, and then they will do his will.

Psa_119:6

True obedience does not pick and choose, but delights in all the statutes of the Lord. If we begin to set aside one of the precepts, where shall we stop? The only way by which a man can fearlessly defend his profession against all accusers, is by rendering a sincere obedience to all the commands of God. What need there is of grace for all this.

Psa_119:7

God’s worship should be the product of all our learning. Prayer is the helper of study, but praise should be the object and result of it.

Psa_119:8

The resolve is good, but it needs the prayer to accompany it. The last sentence should be on our lips every day. What a calamity it would be to be deserted of the Lord!

Psa_119:9

This verse contains a weighty question and a satisfactory answer: let all young people lay both of them to heart. Grace in the heart is the young man’s best life insurance.

Psa_119:10

Those who are most fervent in religion are the most afraid of failing in it. Their anxiety is wise. However good our intentions may be, we cannot preserve ourselves from sin. The most ardent seeker will soon become a wanton wanderer unless the grace of God prevent.

Psa_119:11

The best thing in the best place, for the best of purposes. Can all in this family say what David here declares.

Psa_119:12

He gives God glory, and asks God to give him grace. Prayers and praises make a sweet mixture.

Psa_119:13

Those who can speak should speak. Eloquent tongues should never be idle.

Psa_119:14

In the last verse he says that he had edified others, and in this he rejoices that he had entertained himself.

Psa_119:15-16

What the heart delights in, the memory retains. A warm heart forgets not the Lord’s word. Is our heart warm?



Charged we are, with earnest care,

To observe thy precepts, Lord;

O that all my actions were

Ruled and guided by thy word!



Then shall I from shame be freed,

Joy and peace my heart shall fill,

When I mark with reverent heed,

Every dictate of thy will.



Evening

“
Christ Jesus is made unto us wisdom.”

Pro_26:1-16

Pro_26:1

It is out of place, and does mischief. If then we would be honoured, we must pray against being foolish or wicked.

Pro_26:2

It flies about harmlessly and does nobody any hurt, except the man who uttered it. If we are evil spoken of for doing our duty, we need not mind, it will not harm us any more than the flying of a swallow over our head.

Pro_26:3

Follies bring us smarts. If we would be happy, God must make us wise: but if we will be foolish, the rod must be our portion.

Pro_26:5

The two texts are for two different occasions and persons. One will be best at one time, and one at another. Some men it is best to ridicule that they may see their folly and amend, but others would only be provoked by our speech, and therefore it is better to remain silent. Wisdom will direct us which course to pursue.

Pro_26:6

Nothing but loss comes from trusting vain persons.

Pro_26:7

He shows his folly when he endeavours to talk wisely, just as the cripple displays his deformity when he tries to dance. His speech is not consistent, and his discourse limps like a cripple in walking. May true religion make all of us wise.

Pro_26:8

He puts a a worthless person into a place where he can do great damage, and where he is not likely long to remain. Every sinner is like a stone in a sling, and his soul will be slung out by the hand of God, far off from his present rest and comfort.

Pro_26:9

They had better let it alone—they only hurt themselves, like drunken men playing with thorn bushes. Foolish persons are sure to expose themselves if they attempt a parable, if there be any point in it they run it into themselves before long. Out of their own mouths are they condemned.

Pro_26:10

But what terrible rewards he gives them. Lord, save us from such.

Pro_26:11

Sin is ingrained in human nature, and if you draw a man aside from it for a time, yet he naturally flies back to it. The dog must be changed into a lamb, and then he will not return to his former delight; and if fools be born again from above, they will love sin no longer.

Pro_26:12

The fool may learn, but the conceited man will not. There is more hope of a sinful Publican than of a self-righteous Pharisee.

Pro_26:13

He invents bugbears to excuse his idleness. Any falsehood will serve as an apology for his laziness. How doubly wicked this is; but a lazy person is capable of anything.

Pro_26:14-16

He does nothing, but considers himself a great genius. Being always half asleep he dreams that he is wise, but it is only a dream. Above all things, let us avoid conceited idleness. Let us labour with all our might, and ever cultivate a humble spirit.



We for whom God the Son came down,

And laboured for our good,

How careless to secure the crown

He purchased with his blood.



Lord, shall we lie so sluggish still

And never act our parts?

Come Holy Dove with sacred fire,

Inflame our frozen hearts.