Believer, do you thirst? For what do you thirst?

Jesus promised to give us living water, and that this living water would become a spring of eternal life in us that we might never go thirsty again (Jn. 4:10-14).

If you thirst, you need only seek out Lord, as He commanded (Jn. 7:37).

Are you communing with Him and drinking of the living water he so graciously offers? Off you are not spending time in His word and in prayer, then surely you will end up parched.

There is no need to go thirsty, beloved brethren. He is a well from which we have only to draw that living water. Come to Him that your thirst would be quenched and your spirit filled to overflowing.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 6

"Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." John 4:14

He who is a believer in Jesus finds enough in his Lord to satisfy him now, and to content him for evermore. The believer is not the man whose days are weary for want of comfort, and whose nights are long from absence of heart-cheering thought, for he finds in religion such a spring of joy, such a fountain of consolation, that he is content and happy. Put him in a dungeon and he will find good company; place him in a barren wilderness, he will eat the bread of heaven; drive him away from friendship, he will meet the "friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Blast all his gourds, and he will find shadow beneath the Rock of Ages; sap the foundation of his earthly hopes, but his heart will still be fixed, trusting in the Lord. The heart is as insatiable as the grave till Jesus enters it, and then it is a cup full to overflowing. There is such a fulness in Christ that He alone is the believer's all. The true saint is so completely satisfied with the all-sufficiency of Jesus that he thirsts no more- except it be for deeper draughts of the living fountain. In that sweet manner, believer, shalt thou thirst; it shall not be a thirst of pain, but of loving desire; thou wilt find it a sweet thing to be panting after a fuller enjoyment of Jesus' love. One in days of yore said, "I have been sinking my bucket down into the well full often, but now my thirst after Jesus has become so insatiable, that I long to put the well itself to my lips, and drink right on." Is this the feeling of thine heart now, believer? Dost thou feel that all thy desires are satisfied in Jesus, and that thou hast no want now, but to know more of Him, and to have closer fellowship with Him? Then come continually to the fountain, and take of the water of life freely. Jesus will never think you take too much, but will ever welcome you, saying, "Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved."

Believer, how did you receive your salvation? Was it of your flesh? Did you earn it? Is it because you said a prayer or performed a ritual?

No. It was simply through faith. You believed. We are told, “it is by grace [we] were saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). Of course, if this was the only instance where works were denied a part in our salvation, one might be led to think otherwise.

But we are also told, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy” (Tit. 3:5).

Could it really be that easy? When the jailer asked Paul, “what must I do to be saved?”, Paul responded, “believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31).

Not enough? What about Jesus own words? “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life” (Jn. 5:24).

Salvation is a gift. Even our faith is a gift. We cannot earn it, and if we did, it would no longer be a gift. As Paul teaches, “to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Rom. 4:4-5). This is what Scripture tells us of Abraham as well, that “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Rom. 4:3).

Thus shall all be saved.

And those who are saved get baptized. Why? Because Christ exhorted us to make this outward confession of our entrance into covenant with God. Just as circumcision was an outward sign for the Israelites of entering into covenant with God, baptism is the Christian’s. Make no mistake, it is only an outward sign of an inward change. Because even circumcision was of no avail to the Israelites if their hearts were far from God. For, “he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter” (Rom. 2:29).

So then what benefit is there in baptism? Much. Again, it is our sign of the covenant, but it is also a sign of obedience. And how did Jesus regard such? “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me” (Jn. 14:21), He exclaimed. As well, this outward sign is a picture of our burial with Christ: “we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).

Believer, if you have not yet been baptized, why not? What is preventing or delaying you? And if you have, then let us walk in newness of life, butting off the flesh and its evil deeds, and living by the Spirit who we received from God (1 Cor. 2:12).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 5

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16:16

Mr. MacDonald asked the inhabitants of the island of St. Kilda how a man must be saved. An old man replied, "We shall be saved if we repent, and forsake our sins, and turn to God." "Yes," said a middle-aged female, "and with a true heart too." "Ay," rejoined a third, "and with prayer"; and, added a fourth, "It must be the prayer of the heart." "And we must be diligent too," said a fifth, "in keeping the commandments." Thus, each having contributed his mite, feeling that a very decent creed had been made up, they all looked and listened for the preacher's approbation, but they had aroused his deepest pity. The carnal mind always maps out for itself a way in which self can work and become great, but the Lord's way is quite the reverse. Believing and being baptized are no matters of merit to be gloried in- they are so simple that boasting is excluded, and free grace bears the palm. It may be that the reader is unsaved- what is the reason? Do you think the way of salvation as laid down in the text to be dubious? How can that be when God has pledged His own word for its certainty? Do you think it too easy? Why, then, do you not attend to it? Its ease leaves those without excuse who neglect it. To believe is simply to trust, to depend, to rely upon Christ Jesus. To be baptized is to submit to the ordinance which our Lord fulfilled at Jordan, to which the converted ones submitted at Pentecost, to which the jailer yielded obedience the very night of his conversion. The outward sign saves not, but it sets forth to us our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus, and, like the Lord's Supper, is not to be neglected. Reader, do you believe in Jesus? Then, dear friend, dismiss your fears, you shall be saved. Are you still an unbeliever, then remember there is but one door, and if you will not enter by it you will perish in your sins.

Christian, are you weary? Is your strength lacking? Are you dejected regarding your service to God?

Elijah felt the same, even asking the Lord to take his life.

Believer, we need not feel this way. Let us eat and drink that we might have strength for the journey. Remember, however, that “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD” (Deut. 8:3; cf. Mt. 4:4).

While food may nourish our bodies, many are yet gaunt, emaciated of spirit, because they are not feeding on God’s word. This is where our true strength lies. We can do all things through the strength He gives us (Phil. 4:13).

Brethren, we must not take our relationship with God for granted nor neglect our spiritual fitness by failing to spend time communing with Him through the Scriptures He so graciously gave us.

His word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, able to prepare us for every good work (1 Tim. 3:16-17). His word will gird us, is our weapon against evil (Eph. 6:17), able to pierce the heart, dividing between joint and marrow, soul and spirit (Heb. 4:12). And His word is true food.

Let us, therefore, take time daily to be in His word, drawing close to Him, that He might draw close to us, and that He might “strengthen you,” and “help you,” and “uphold you with [His] righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 5

"He arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights." 1 Kings 19:8

All the strength supplied to us by our gracious God is meant for service, not for wantonness or boasting. When the prophet Elijah found the cake baked on the coals, and the cruse of water placed at his head, as he lay under the juniper tree, he was no gentleman to be gratified with dainty fare that he might stretch himself at his ease; far otherwise, he was commissioned to go forty days and forty nights in the strength of it, journeying towards Horeb, the mount of God. When the Master invited the disciples to "Come and dine" with Him, after the feast was concluded He said to Peter, "Feed my sheep"; further adding, "Follow me." Even thus it is with us; we eat the bread of heaven, that we may expend our strength in the Master's service. We come to the passover, and eat of the paschal lamb with loins girt, and staff in hand, so as to start off at once when we have satisfied our hunger. Some Christians are for living on Christ, but are not so anxious to live for Christ. Earth should be a preparation for heaven; and heaven is the place where saints feast most and work most. They sit down at the table of our Lord, and they serve Him day and night in His temple. They eat of heavenly food and render perfect service. Believer, in the strength you daily gain from Christ labour for Him. Some of us have yet to learn much concerning the design of our Lord in giving us His grace. We are not to retain the precious grains of truth as the Egyptian mummy held the wheat for ages, without giving it an opportunity to grow: we must sow it and water it. Why does the Lord send down the rain upon the thirsty earth, and give the genial sunshine? Is it not that these may all help the fruits of the earth to yield food for man? Even so the Lord feeds and refreshes our souls that we may afterwards use our renewed strength in the promotion of His glory.

Brethren, we so often are caught up in our lives here in the physical realm that we forget or neglect the fact that there is a greater realm beyond this one, a spiritual realm. In that realm reside God’s angels, those ministering spirits and messengers who watch over us and attend us.

These angels heralded the birth of our Lord. They proclaimed the good news of salvation to the shepherds in the field. They informed Mary and those with her that Jesus was no longer in the tomb.

Yet it is to use that Jesus gives help; not them. They are there to help us.

But it is also for this reason that we must hold fast to God’s word and not depart from it (Heb. 2:1). “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word” (Ps. 119:9).

The angels are witnesses surrounding us, so let us lay aside the sin that so easily entangles us and focus on our Lord, fixing our gaze upon our eternal destination (Heb. 12:1-2), being transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we do not conform to this world (Rom. 12:2).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 3

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" Hebrews 1:14

Angels are the unseen attendants of the saints of God; they bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone. Loyalty to their Lord leads them to take a deep interest in the children of His love; they rejoice over the return of the prodigal to his father's house below, and they welcome the advent of the believer to the King's palace above. In olden times the sons of God were favoured with their visible appearance, and at this day, although unseen by us, heaven is still opened, and the angels of God ascend and descend upon the Son of man, that they may visit the heirs of salvation. Seraphim still fly with live coals from off the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved. If our eyes could be opened, we should see horses of fire and chariots of fire about the servants of the Lord; for we have come to an innumerable company of angels, who are all watchers and protectors of the seed-royal. Spenser's line is no poetic fiction, where he sings:

How oft do they with golden pinions cleave
The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant
Against foul fiends to aid us militant!

To what dignity are the chosen elevated when the brilliant courtiers of heaven become their willing servitors! Into what communion are we raised since we have intercourse with spotless celestials! How well are we defended since all the twenty- thousand chariots of God are armed for our deliverance! To whom do we owe all this? Let the Lord Jesus Christ be for ever endeared to us, for through Him we are made to sit in heavenly places far above principalities and powers. He it is whose camp is round about them that fear Him; He is the true Michael whose foot is upon the dragon. All hail, Jesus! thou Angel of Jehovah's presence, to Thee this family offers its morning vows.

Psalms
Chapter 111

1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

2 The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

3 His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

6 He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.

7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.



Psalms
Chapter 112

1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.

4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.





Psalms
Chapter 113

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

2 Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.

4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.



Psalms
Chapter 114

1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion.

3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back.

4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs.

5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back?

6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs?

7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

Psalms
Chapter 107

1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

11 Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.

15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

17 Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.

38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.

42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

Christian, who does your soul love? Who do you love with your whole heart? Is it God? Is it self? Is it someone or something else?

Is Jesus saying to you, as John wrote to the church in Ephesus, that “you have left your first love” (Rev. 2:4)? This is something to ponder.

Is your heart on fire for Him, or are your passions turned elsewhere? Jesus said, “if anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23).

It is nothing for the world not to love Him; for no one can love Him unless He loves them first (1 Jn. 4:19). But once we have experienced His love, could we then spurn Him? May it never be!

No, let us cling to Him and not let go (Song of Solomon 3:4). Let us love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mk. 12:30). Let us draw near to Him, that He might draw near to us (Jas. 4:8).

Christ loved us, so much so, that He was willing to die for us. We should so love Christ that we are willing to do the same for Him. We must die to self that we may live for Him.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 29

"I found Him whom my soul loveth: I held Him, and would not let Him go." Song of Solomon 3:4

Does Christ receive us when we come to Him, notwithstanding all our past sinfulness? Does He never chide us for having tried all other refuges first? And is there none on earth like Him? Is He the best of all the good, the fairest of all the fair? Oh, then let us praise Him! Daughters of Jerusalem, extol Him with timbrel and harp! Down with your idols, up with the Lord Jesus. Now let the standards of pomp and pride be trampled under foot, but let the cross of Jesus, which the world frowns and scoffs at, be lifted on high. O for a throne of ivory for our King Solomon! let Him be set on high for ever, and let my soul sit at His footstool, and kiss His feet, and wash them with my tears. Oh, how precious is Christ! How can it be that I have thought so little of Him? How is it I can go abroad for joy or comfort when He is so full, so rich, so satisfying. Fellow believer, make a covenant with thine heart that thou wilt never depart from Him, and ask thy Lord to ratify it. Bid Him set thee as a signet upon His finger, and as a bracelet upon His arm. Ask Him to bind thee about Him, as the bride decketh herself with ornaments, and as the bridegroom putteth on his jewels. I would live in Christ's heart; in the clefts of that rock my soul would eternally abide. The sparrow hath made a house, and the swallow a nest for herself where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God; and so too would I make my nest, my home, in Thee, and never from Thee may the soul of Thy turtle dove go forth again, but may I nestle close to Thee, O Jesus, my true and only rest.
When my precious Lord I find,
All my ardent passions glow;
Him with cords of love I bind,
Hold and will not let Him go.

Believer, what has happened to the Church? Are we not the body of Christ? Do we not gather as His body to worship, to edify one another by the exercise of our gifts, to fellowship, and to do good deeds? Have we become so rich that we no longer need Him, the One whose body we comprise (Rev. 3:17)? Do we believe ourselves so wealthy that we are in need of nothing (Rev. 3:17)?

The Church has been weakened by “churchianity,” which is all show and no go. We are, at large, become lukewarm and ready to be spit out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16). We have pushed Christ out and invited the world in. What happened to our zeal? We are called to be separate from the world, not like it. Light has no fellowship with darkness (2 Cor. 6:14). Christ has no harmony with Belial (Rom. 6:15). We have naught in common with unbelievers (Rom. 6:15)

Let us not stand naked and poor, with our reward stored up here rather than in heaven (Rev. 3:18). Instead, become zealous for Him (Rev. 3:19), not without knowledge, but because we know Him.

Behold, He stands at the door of the Church knocking (Rev. 3:20). Shall we leave Him out in the cold, or let Him back in where He belongs that He might dine with us (Rev. 3:20)?

We belong to Him. Let His hand rapping on the door of the Church not go unheard, but let it move us for Him.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 27

"My Beloved put in His hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for Him." Song of Solomon 5:4

Knocking was not enough, for my heart was too full of sleep, too cold and ungrateful to arise and open the door, but the touch of His effectual grace has made my soul bestir itself. Oh, the longsuffering of my Beloved, to tarry when He found Himself shut out, and me asleep upon the bed of sloth! Oh, the greatness of His patience, to knock and knock again, and to add His voice to His knockings, beseeching me to open to Him! How could I have refused Him! Base heart, blush and be confounded! But what greatest kindness of all is this, that He becomes His own porter and unbars the door Himself. Thrice blessed is the hand which condescends to lift the latch and turn the key. Now I see that nothing but my Lord's own power can save such a naughty mass of wickedness as I am; ordinances fail, even the gospel has no effect upon me, till His hand is stretched out. Now, also, I perceive that His hand is good where all else is unsuccessful, He can open when nothing else will. Blessed be His name, I feel His gracious presence even now. Well may my bowels move for Him, when I think of all that He has suffered for me, and of my ungenerous return. I have allowed my affections to wander. I have set up rivals. I have grieved Him. Sweetest and dearest of all beloveds, I have treated Thee as an unfaithful wife treats her husband. Oh, my cruel sins, my cruel self. What can I do? Tears are a poor show of my repentance, my whole heart boils with indignation at myself. Wretch that I am, to treat my Lord, my All in All, my exceeding great joy, as though He were a stranger. Jesus, thou forgivest freely, but this is not enough, prevent my unfaithfulness in the future. Kiss away these tears, and then purge my heart and bind it with sevenfold cords to Thyself, never to wander more.

Psalms
Chapter 91

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

The one thing that really bothers me is the continual reference to race in the media. Why can't they say, "This young woman is smarter than everyone else.", rather than "This 'black girl'...". Is how to write praise and patronizing headlines what they teach in journalism class?

Footsteps of the Ancients

Upon the white path, beneath the burning sun,
Their shadows stretch where the rivers once run.
Wrapped in colors, in silence they move,
Each step a story, each scar a proof.

The earth remembers the weight they bore,
The hunger, the cold, the endless war.
Yet still they walked, with heads held high,
Carving their prayers into the sky.

O footsteps fading, yet never gone,
Your trials live on in the songs we’ve drawn.
Through dust and flame, through loss and pain,
Your courage flows in our veins again.

Serin Alar

This is despicable. I hope there are some legal ramifications for this young man. The other young man has lost all hope of playing the sport again. There needs to be swift and severe action against his behavior.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/09/michigan-high-school-takes-strong-decisive-action-against/

Psalms
Chapter 84

1 (To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.) How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.

10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Psalms
Chapter 82

1 (A Psalm of Asaph.) God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.

2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.

3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.

5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.



Psalms
Chapter 83

1 (A Song or Psalm of Asaph.) Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:

6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

President Trump acknowledges Charlie Kirk's parents and thanks them for raising such a quality young man.
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Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 20

"In the evening withhold not thy hand." Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the evening of the day opportunities are plentiful: men return from their labour, and the zealous soul-winner finds time to tell abroad the love of Jesus. Have I no evening work for Jesus? If I have not, let me no longer withhold my hand from a service which requires abundant labour. Sinners are perishing for lack of knowledge; he who loiters may find his skirts crimson with the blood of souls. Jesus gave both His hands to the nails, how can I keep back one of mine from His blessed work? Night and day He toiled and prayed for me, how can I give a single hour to the pampering of my flesh with luxurious ease? Up, idle heart; stretch out thy hand to work, or uplift it to pray; heaven and hell are in earnest, let me be so, and this evening sow good seed for the Lord my God.

The evening of life has also its calls. Life is so short that a morning of manhood's vigour, and an evening of decay, make the whole of it. To some it seems long, but a four-pence is a great sum of money to a poor man. Life is so brief that no man can afford to lose a day. It has been well said that if a great king should bring us a great heap of gold, and bid us take as much as we could count in a day, we should make a long day of it; we should begin early in the morning, and in the evening we should not withhold our hand; but to win souls is far nobler work, how is it that we so soon withdraw from it? Some are spared to a long evening of green old age; if such be my case, let me use such talents as I still retain, and to the last hour serve my blessed and faithful Lord. By His grace I will die in harness, and lay down my charge only when I lay down my body. Age may instruct the young, cheer the faint, and encourage the desponding; if eventide has less of vigorous heat, it should have more of calm wisdom, therefore in the evening I will not withhold my hand.

https://x.com/0HOUR1__/status/1969029240503865801

A Utah truck driver has been ordered held without bail after two young girls were discovered locked inside his refrigerated trailer following a traffic accident.

Jacob Ortell Scott, 28, was arrested Wednesday after Utah State Troopers found a 12-year-old and 14-year-old girl trapped inside his tractor-trailer's refrigerated compartment.

Christian, are you an encourager? Do you encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ? Or do you tend to discourage? Never forget, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Pr. 18:21). As followers of Christ, our words should impart life, they should edify, not tear down.

Believer, it is to this we are called. The author of Hebrews tells us, “let is consider how to inspire one another to love and good works…encouraging one another” (Heb. 10:24-25). Will we then curse our brother? How can we do so, when like us, he is made in the image of God (Jas. 3:9-10)?

No, let us instead “encourage one another and build up one another” (1 Thes. 5:11), as we are exhorted by Scripture. This is part and parcel of our calling, that we “encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13).

Who can you encourage today?

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, September 17

"Encourage him." Deuteronomy 1:38

God employs His people to encourage one another. He did not say to an angel, "Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people into Canaan- go, encourage him." God never works needless miracles; if His purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means, He will not use miraculous agency. Gabriel would not have been half so well fitted for the work as Moses. A brother's sympathy is more precious than an angel's embassy. The angel, swift of wing, had better known the Master's bidding than the people's temper. An angel had never experienced the hardness of the road, nor seen the fiery serpents, nor had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had done. We should be glad that God usually works for man by man. It forms a bond of brotherhood, and being mutually dependent on one another, we are fused more completely into one family. Brethren, take the text as God's message to you. Labour to help others, and especially strive to encourage them. Talk cheerily to the young and anxious enquirer, lovingly try to remove stumblingblocks out of his way. When you find a spark of grace in the heart, kneel down and blow it into a flame. Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees, but tell him of the strength which dwells in God, of the sureness of the promise, and of the charms of communion with Christ. Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding. Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness. God encourages you by His promises; Christ encourages you as He points to the heaven He has won for you, and the spirit encourages you as He works in you to will and to do of His own will and pleasure. Imitate divine wisdom, and encourage others, according to the word of this evening.

Christian, when you have a need, when you struggle, when you are anxious, do you attempt in your own power to find a solution? Or do you bring your troubles to God in prayer?

While we always should depend on Him, and not be anxious, but bring our requests to God in prayer so that we may know His peace (Phil. 4:6-7), we often seek to resolve our difficulties in our own time according to our own wisdom and understanding. Ah, but “the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God” (1 Cor. 3:19). Are we not told, “do not lean on your own understanding”, but instead to “trust in the Lord with all your heart” and “in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Pro. 3:5-6)?

Often, in our stubbornness, in our pride, in our humanity, we forget that though the horse may be prepared for battle, “the victory belongs to the Lord” (Pro. 21:31). In such times, things may seem dark, but this is because God needs to bring us to the end of ourselves in order to remind us of our need for Him.

We ought never to stand in our own strength. Remember, you “can do all things through Him who strengthens” you (Phil. 4:13). And God promises, “I will strengthen you” (Isa. 41:10).

As strong as it may be, your arm is not mighty like His. So instead of relying upon your own wiles, humble yourself before God “that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 17

"Bring him unto me." Mark 9:19

Despairingly the poor disappointed father turned away from the disciples to their Master. His son was in the worst possible condition, and all means had failed, but the miserable child was soon delivered from the evil one when the parent in faith obeyed the Lord Jesus' word, "Bring him unto me." Children are a precious gift from God, but much anxiety comes with them. They may be a great joy or a great bitterness to their parents; they may be filled with the Spirit of God, or possessed with the spirit of evil. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one receipt for the curing of all their ills, "Bring him unto me." O for more agonizing prayer on their behalf while they are yet babes! Sin is there, let our prayers begin to attack it. Our cries for our offspring should precede those cries which betoken their actual advent into a world of sin. In the days of their youth we shall see sad tokens of that dumb and deaf spirit which will neither pray aright, nor hear the voice of God in the soul, but Jesus still commands, "Bring them unto me." When they are grown up they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God; then when our hearts are breaking we should remember the great Physician's words, "Bring them unto me." Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.

The Lord sometimes suffers His people to be driven into a corner that they may experimentally know how necessary He is to them. Ungodly children, when they show us our own powerlessness against the depravity of their hearts, drive us to flee to the strong for strength, and this is a great blessing to us. Whatever our morning's need may be, let it like a strong current bear us to the ocean of divine love. Jesus can soon remove our sorrow, He delights to comfort us. Let us hasten to Him while He waits to meet us.

Believer, does bad news cause you fear or anxiety? Do “evil tidings” bring you dread? Why?

God says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10).

We have no reason to fear. On the contrary, we should have peace. For, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You” (Isa. 23:6). We are told to not be anxious, that if we come to God with our requests, and thanksgiving, through prayer and supplication, that God will give us peace that surpasses all comprehension (Phil. 4:6-7).

Do not fear bad news - instead, let us fear God! In this way, we will be blessed: “How blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments” (Ps. 112:1). Do not forget, “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pr. 9:10).

There is nothing to fear in this world. No evil can overcome us, because Jesus has already overcome the world (Jn. 16:33). Even those who seek to do us harm should hold no fear for us, as Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt. 10:28).

Believer, do not be alarmed at reports of evil. God promises us peace, and if we humble ourselves under His mighty arm, He will exalt us at the proper time; therefore, cast your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, September 15

"He shall not be afraid of evil tidings." Psalm 112:7

Christian, you ought not to dread the arrival of evil tidings; because if you are distressed by them, what do you more than other men? Other men have not your God to fly to; they have never proved His faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear: but you profess to be of another spirit; you have been begotten again unto a lively hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things; now, if you are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace which you profess to have received? Where is the dignity of that new nature which you claim to possess?

Again, if you should be filled with alarm, as others are, you would, doubtless, be led into the sins so common to others under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by evil tidings, rebel against God; they murmur, and think that God deals hardly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do?

Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in order to escape from difficulties, and you will be sure to do the same if your mind yields to the present pressure. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Your wisest course is to do as Moses did at the Red Sea, "Stand still and see the salvation of God." For if you give way to fear when you hear of evil tidings, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure which nerves for duty, and sustains under adversity. How can you glorify God if you play the coward? Saints have often sung God's high praises in the fires, but will your doubting and desponding, as if you had none to help you, magnify the Most High? Then take courage, and relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, "let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."