Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: August 12

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Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: August 12


Today is: Sunday, January 12th, 2025 (Show Today's Devotion)

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Morning

“
My soul doth magnify the Lord.”

Luk_1:26-33; Luk_1:35; Luk_1:38-40; Luk_1:46-55

The birth of the forerunner being near, it was now time for the Lord himself to be spoken of.

Luk_1:26-33; Luk_1:35; Luk_1:38-40; Luk_1:46-55

The person chosen to be the mother of the Lord Jesus was a lowly maid, but she was also a godly woman of no mean ability of mind, for her song is written in the highest style of poetry. To the humble and devout the visitations of the Holy Spirit are granted. The manner in which the angel saluted Mary was highly honourable to her, but affords no ground for the superstitious reverence of the Papists, for “he saluted her as a saint, and did not pray to her as a goddess.” Mary confessed herself a sinner needing salvation, for she rejoiced in God her Saviour; it never entered into her mind to claim the homage of mankind.

It is a great blessing that in answer to earnest prayer the Holy Spirit will come into our hearts, and make us sing as joyfully as Mary did. Christ will dwell in our hearts by faith, and we shall be numbered with those favoured ones of whom Jesus said, “The same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”



My soul doth magnify the Lord,

My spirit doth rejoice;

To thee my Saviour and my God

I lift my joyful voice.



Down from above the blessèd dove

Is come into my breast,

To witness thine eternal love,

And give my spirit rest.



Hark, the glad sound, the Saviour comes,

The Saviour promised long!

Let every heart prepare a throne,

And every voice a song.



Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,

Thy welcome shall proclaim;

And heaven’s eternal arches ring

With thy beloved name.



Evening

“
He hath visited and redeemed His people.”

Luk_1:58-80

The time soon arrived for John to be born, and Elisabeth became a joyful mother.

Luk_1:58

This is a very beautiful way of stating the case, “The Lord had shelved great mercy upon her.” Family events should be looked at in this light, and made the occasion of pious thanksgiving.

Luk_1:59-60

or the Lord’s gracious gift.

Luk_1:62

For he was deaf as well as dumb, a double chastisement for his unbelief, which was now to be graciously removed.

Luk_1:63

And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.

He had not heard what the mother had said, but he confirmed her wish, and obeyed the divine command which had been brought by the angel.

Luk_1:64

The dumb man in a moment not only spake, but sang for very joy. The Lord is a God of wonders.

Luk_1:75

So that there is not a word in this noble song of Zacharias concerning John, or his own relationship to him; he reserves that until he has poured forth his whole soul concerning the Lord’s Christ. Jesus must be first and foremost in his peoples hearts; even our highest spiritual joys must stand second to him. Him will we praise with our best music.

Luk_1:79

Delightful is the object of the Saviours coming; no longer need any believer be in bondage through fear of death. Light has sprung up in the vale of deathshade, and peace smooths our pathway even there.

Luk_1:80

Great minds are reared in solitude. Lone places are fit nurses for God’s heroes. We should be all the better if we were oftener alone; in the solemn silence of nature sanctified spirits find a congenial atmosphere.



Light of those whose dreary dwelling

Borders on the shades of death,

Come, and by thyself revealing,

Dissipate the clouds beneath:



The new heaven and earth’s Creator,

In our deepest darkness rise,

Scattering all the night of nature,

Pouring day upon our eyes.



Still we wait for thy appearing;

Life and joy thy beams impart,

Chasing all our fears, and cheering

Every poor benighted heart.



Save us in thy great compassion,

O thou mild pacific Prince;

Give the knowledge of salvation,

Give the pardon of our sins.