Renewed Strength: Spurgeon Morning & Evening, January 2 (evening)
Let the people renew their strength.
Isaiah 41.1
What follows is Charles Spurgeon’s devotion on this text for the evening of January 2. It is taken from his wonderful daily devotional Morning and Evening. Which we highly recommend. There are many editions available, including editions with updated language and modern Bible translations. It is available online for free, but if you would like a printed edition, here is the one we recommend, but shop at wtsbooks.com and find the edition you prefer. Use the coupon code COFFEE for 5% off your order.
Our discussion was completely impromptu so you’ll have to listen to the episode since I don’t have notes.
Morning and Evening – January 2
All things on earth need to be renewed. No created thing continueth by itself. “Thou renewest the face of the year,” was the Psalmist’s utterance. Even the trees, which wear not themselves with care, nor shorten their lives with labour, must drink of the rain of heaven and suck from the hidden treasures of the soil. The cedars of Lebanon, which God has planted, only live because day by day they are full of sap fresh drawn from the earth. Neither can man’s life be sustained without renewal from God. As it is necessary to repair the waste of the body by the frequent meal, so we must repair the waste of the soul by feeding upon the Book of God, or by listening to the preached Word, or by the soul-fattening table of the ordinances. How depressed are our graces when means are neglected! What poor starvelings some saints are who live without the diligent use of the Word of God and secret prayer! If our piety can live without God it is not of divine creating; it is but a dream; for if God had begotten it, it would wait upon him as the flowers wait upon the dew. Without constant restoration we are not ready for the perpetual assaults of hell, or the stern afflictions of heaven, or even for the strifes within. When the whirlwind shall be loosed, woe to the tree that hath not sucked up fresh sap, and grasped the rock with many intertwisted roots. When tempests arise, woe to the mariners that have not strengthened their mast, nor cast their anchor, nor sought the haven. If we suffer the good to grow weaker, the evil will surely gather strength and struggle desperately for the mastery over us; and so, perhaps, a painful desolation, and a lamentable disgrace may follow. Let us draw near to the footstool of divine mercy in humble entreaty, and we shall realize the fulfillment of the promise, “They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.”
Coffee Talk: Brance and Lauren talk about Lauren’s new mug.
Defining Theology: Brance and Lauren define and discuss the theological term Cessationism: the Holy Spirit’s ceasing from inspiring new revelation and working now through the Scriptures and the ordinary means of grace.
Resources Mentioned:
2LCF (2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith)
C.H. Spurgeon: Morning & Evening