Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: March 20

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Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: March 20


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

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Morning

“
He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

1Co_1:8-31

The history of the fall of Jericho through the blast of rams’-horns reminds us of Paul’s expression in the Corinthians, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Let us read a passage in which the reputed weakness of the gospel is gloried in because the Lord, nevertheless, works by it—

1Co_1:18

The same thing is different to differing persons. One sees in the gospel folly, and another omnipotence. These last have felt its gracious power, and therefore are well assured of what they believe.

1Co_1:19-20

Let this be remembered still, and it will help to cure the craving after learned and intellectual preaching. What have we to do with setting up what God means to destroy? The plain gospel of Jesus, simply preached, is infinitely superior to all the “deep thinking” and “exact criticism” of modern times.

1Co_1:21

Philosophy left the world in the foulest mire of lasciviousness and unbelief, but the unlettered men who delivered the Lord’s message of love just as they received it, became the salvation of myriads.

1Co_1:22-24

Tastes are not to regulate the gospel. What men desire is one thing, but what the gospel gives them is another. Instead of signs and wisdom, God’s ministers show unto men the crucified Saviour, and nothing else.

1Co_1:25

It will be seen in the end that what men think foolish and weak in God’s gospel, will be more than a match for human power and learning.

1Co_1:26-29

As election thus makes no account of human greatness, the preacher must pay no deference to it in his ministry. He is to proclaim his message to the common people, and to be content if his converts are despised as belonging to the base things of this world. If God’s election ran among the grandees, he might have sent to them a philosophical gospel to be delivered with all the graces of classic oratory: but such is not the mind of the Lord. Let us, as a family, hold fast to the old gospel, and love the honest ministers of it who care more about winning souls than about being considered fine orators. The gospel which saved the apostles, the martyrs, the reformers, and our godly ancestors, is quite good enough for us. Let those who please seek after the wisdom of man, we will abide by the teaching of the Lord.

1Co_1:30-31

All is of Jesus, from first to last, and so all the glory is unto him who deserves it. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same.



Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,

Nor can the memory find,

A sweeter sound than thy blest name,

O Saviour of mankind!



Jesus, our only joy be thou,

As thou our crown wilt be;

Jesus, be thou our glory now,

And through eternity.



Evening

“
One sinner destroyeth much good.”

Jos_7:1-13; Jos_7:15

Jos_7:1

The chapter opens with a “but,” and a very serious “but” it was. One man in Israel had presumed to violate the express command of Jehovah, and had taken of the spoil of Jericho for himself, and had thus defied the curse which had been pronounced upon any who so acted. That one man’s sin, like a single drop of a potent poison, was sufficient to do damage to the whole body of Israel. Sin is so deadly an evil that the smallest measure of it may do more injury than we can reckon or imagine.

Jos_7:2-3

Israel had become confident of an easy victory, and a disposition to spare themselves was evidently growing up among them. The Lord would fight for them, and therefore they might ground their weapons. In this way, in all ages, the grace of God has been abused by the self-indulgence of men.

Jos_7:4-5

Defeat is the sure result of an indolent carnal security, and it is well when it drives the believer to his God again, and leads him with holy earnestness to put forth all his strength. God worketh in us to make us work ourselves; he never works indolence in us.

Jos_7:7

This was a faulty expression, and savoured of distrust. It was not the position of the people, but their sin which had destroyed them.

Jos_7:8

The grand old warrior felt his blood boil at the thought of his nation put to the rout.

Jos_7:9

Here was the master plea of Moses; and when Joshua came to plead that, he was sure of success. We ought to be more concerned for the honour of God, than for anything else in the world.

Jos_7:10-13

Sin will deprive a church of all power to do good. Though it may be an unknown sin, its effects will soon be visible enough. It is a blessed thing when affliction leads to humbling, and humbling to heartsearching. Lord, grant that no sin may be in this family either open or concealed, but make and keep us obedient to thy will evermore.