Weekday Devotions November 9th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE

"Thus shall they know that I the Lord their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord God" Ezekiel 34:30

To be the Lord’s own people is a choice blessing, but to know that we are such is a comfortable blessing. It is one thing to hope that God is with us, and another thing to know that He is so. Faith saves us, but assurance satisfies us. We take God to be our God when we believe in Him; but we get the joy of Him when we know that He is ours, and that we are His. No believer should be content with hoping and trusting, he should ask the Lord to lead him on to full assurance, so that matters of hope may become matters of certainty.

When we enjoy covenant blessings, and see our Lord Jesus raised up for us as a plant of renown, then we come to a clear knowledge of the favor of God toward us. Not by law, but by grace, do we learn that we are the Lord’s people. Let us always turn our eyes in the direction of free grace. Assurance of faith can never come by the works of the law. It is an evangelical virtue, and can only reach us in a gospel way. Let us not look within. Let us look to the Lord alone. As we see Jesus we shall see our salvation.

Lord, send us such a flood-tide of thy love that we shall be washed beyond the mire of doubt and fear.

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

So he arose, and went to Zarephath

1 Kings 17:10

Let it be equally said of you to whatever duty the Lord may call you away, “He arose and went.” Be the way ever so laborious or dangerous, still arise, like Elijah, and go. Go cheerfully, in faith, keeping your heart quietly dependent on the Lord, and in the end you will surely behold and sing of His goodness. Though tossed on a sea of troubles you may anchor on the firm foundation of God, which standeth sure. You have for your security His exceeding great and precious promises, and may say with the Psalmist, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

F. W. Krummacher