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\ / Charles Spurgeon's MORNING & EVENING http://www.heartlight.org/
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
MORNING:
"Nevertheless I am continually with thee."
-- Psalms 73:23
"Nevertheless,"-As if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and
ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the
less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and
that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence was undoubtedly
his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness
and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he
sings "nevertheless I am continually with thee." Believer, you are
forced to enter into Asaph's confession and acknowledgment, endeavour
in like spirit to say "nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am
continually with God!" By this is meant continually upon his mind, he
is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before his eye;-the
eye of the Lord never sleepeth, but is perpetually watching over my
welfare. Continually in his hand, so that none shall be able to pluck
me thence. Continually on his heart, worn there as a memorial, even as
the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon his heart for
ever. Thou always thinkest of me, O God. The bowels of thy love
continually yearn towards me. Thou art always making providence work
for my good. Thou hast set me as a signet upon thine arm; thy love is
strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods
drown it. Surprising grace! Thou seest me in Christ, and though in
myself abhorred, thou beholdest me as wearing Christ's garments, and
washed in his blood, and thus I stand accepted in thy presence. I am
thus continually in thy favour-"continually with thee." Here is comfort
for the tried and afflicted soul; vexed with the tempest within-look at
the calm without. "Nevertheless"-O say it in thy heart, and take the
peace it gives. "Nevertheless I am continually with thee."
EVENING:
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me."
-- John 6:37
This declaration involves the doctrine of election: there are some whom
the Father gave to Christ. It involves the doctrine of effectual
calling: these who are given must and shall come; however stoutly they
may set themselves against it, yet they shall be brought out of
darkness into God's marvellous light. It teaches us the indispensable
necessity of faith; for even those who are given to Christ are not
saved except they come to Jesus. Even they must come, for there is no
other way to heaven but by the door, Christ Jesus. All that the Father
gives to our Redeemer must come to him, therefore none can come to
heaven except they come to Christ.
Oh! the power and majesty which rest in the words "shall come." He does
not say they have power to come, nor they may come if they will, but
they "shall come." The Lord Jesus doth by his messengers, his word, and
his Spirit, sweetly and graciously compel men to come in that they may
eat of his marriage supper; and this he does, not by any violation of
the free agency of man, but by the power of his grace. I may exercise
power over another man's will, and yet that other man's will may be
perfectly free, because the constraint is exercised in a manner
accordant with the laws of the human mind. Jehovah Jesus knows how, by
irresistible arguments addressed to the understanding, by mighty
reasons appealing to the affections, and by the mysterious influence of
his Holy Spirit operating upon all the powers and passions of the soul,
so to subdue the whole man, that whereas he was once rebellious, he
yields cheerfully to his government, subdued by sovereign love. But how
shall those be known whom God hath chosen? By this result: that they do
willingly and joyfully accept Christ, and come to him with simple and
unfeigned faith, resting upon him as all their salvation and all their
desire. Reader, have you thus come to Jesus?
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WILD AT HEART, by John Eldredge
Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, this is a guide to
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MORNING & EVENING from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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http://www.heartlight.org/spurgeon \/
Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
and preacher Charles Spurgeon. It's part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine,
the leading Christian living e-zine on the Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT
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