Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: September 9

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Spurgeon Daily Devotional Bible: September 9


Today is: Saturday, September 14th, 2024 (Show Today's Devotion)

Select a Day for a Devotion in the Month of September: (Show All Months)

Morning

“
Have salt in yourselves.”

Mar_9:33-44; Mar_9:49-50

Mar_9:33-34

This was the old evil, and it broke forth in many ways and at singular times. The Master spoke of his death, and the disciples spoke of pre-eminence. He was infinitely superior to the best of his followers, and in nothing more evidently so than in the unselfishness of his nature. Oh that we may have grace to keep clear of the apostles fault!

Mar_9:38

Surely this was a case of schism! John had in his bosom all the zeal of the high-churchman, and his fellow apostles shared the feeling. This unknown worker honoured the name of Jesus and was clothed in his power, and one would have thought that the apostles would have recognised him as a brother: but no, “he followeth not us” was enough to sour all their brotherly kindness, and they forbad the good man to cast out any more devils, or to do anything more in the name of Jesus. This was after the approved model of churchianity; we shall see in the next verse that it was not Christianity.

Mar_9:39-40

Even if the man himself were not sincere, yet, for his own credit’s sake, he could not become an open opposer of the Lord. His aid was secured, so far, at least, that he could not become a reviler of that name by which he had wrought wonders. If the proud professors who reject all who dissent from them would at least remember that those whom they despise are not enemies of Christ, they might treat them with a little more consideration than they now do.

Mar_9:41-42

offend or cause to stumble

Mar_9:41-42

Beware, then, lest by word or act we cause any child of God to sin.

Mar_9:44

There is a worm undying, and a fire unquenchable. Let men say what they will, the wrath of God abides for ever upon those who die unsaved. It is worth while to make any sacrifice rather than fall for ever into hell.

Mar_9:49

Either we must be tried with fire here or hereafter. Self-denial and endurance of our Lord’s will must be the salt and the fire of our sacrifice in this life, or else the endless woes of the wrath of God shall be both preserving salt and con-sinning fire to us in another world. Far better to accept the light afflictions of to-day, than to endure the fierce flames of perdition.

To be sung or read



Behold, how good a thing it is,

And how becoming well,

Together, such as brethren are,

In unity to dwell!



Like precious ointment on the head,

That down the beard did flow,

E’en Aaron’s beard, and to the skirts

Did of his garments go.



As Hermon’s dew, the dew that doth

On Sion’s hills descend;

For there the blessing God commands,

Life that shall never end.



Evening

“
When ye stand praying, forgive.”

Mat_17:22-27

Mat_17:22-23

He often spoke to them upon this point, and as they gradually comprehended his meaning their sorrow increased. He kept his death always before his mind’s eye, and frequently reminded his followers of it before it was accomplished; and now that his suffering work is finished, he would have it always present to the hearts of his people.

Mat_17:24-25

But, as usual, he spake too quickly. He ought not to have committed his Master to the payment of a doubtful exaction.

Mat_17:24-25

prevented or anticipated

Mat_17:26

This tribute had not the divine sanction. The services of the temple, and the maintenance of the priests were otherwise provided for by the Mosaic law, and no annual poll tax had ever been instituted by God. Eastern kings in our Lord’s day levied tribute only upon the natives of conquered lands, and did not exact from their own people. It could not be supposed that the King of Grace would tax his own family.

Mat_17:27

He paid the demand, but in such a way as to prove his own sovereign status. He paid as only God could do.

Mat_18:21-35

Mat_18:23-24

If of silver, these talents were worth between three and four millions sterling; if of gold, sixty millions.

Mat_18:25-28

hundred pence: or about three pounds:

Mat_18:25-28

This debt at the most was the millionth part of the former one.

Mat_18:29

The attitude and words which had drawn compassion from his master were addressed to him in vain.

Mat_18:30-35

God will deal with each of us upon the principle which sways our own life, and if we adopt a stern and severe mode of action, we must expect the same rule to be carried out in our case.