Christian Daily Devotionals

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon.. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8

Faith in scripture is described as being known through all the senses:

• Faith is sight: “Look unto me, and be ye saved.” (Isaiah 45:22, KJV)

• Faith is hearing: “Hear me, that your soul may live.” (Isaiah 55:3)

• Faith is smelling: “All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia” (Psalm 45:8); “your name is like perfume poured out.” (Song of Solomon 1:3)

• Faith is spiritual touch. By this faith the woman came behind and touched the edge of Christ’s cloak (Luke 8:43-48) and likewise we handle the things of the good word of life.

• Faith is equally the spirit’s taste. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103) “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man,” says Jesus, “and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53) This “taste” is faith in one of its highest qualities.

One of the first experiences of faith is hearing. We hear the voice of God, not with the outward ear alone, but with the inward ear. We hear it as God’s Word, and we believe it to be so; that is the “hearing” of faith.

Then our mind looks on the truth as it is presented to us. We understand it and perceive its meaning; that is the “seeing” of faith.

Next we discover its preciousness. We begin to admire it, and find how fragrant it is; that is faith in its “smell.”

Then we embrace the mercies which are prepared for us in Christ; that is faith in its “touch.”

Therefore what follows from all of these enjoyments? Peace, delight, communion … which are faith in its “taste.”

Any one of these paths to faith is saving. To hear Christ’s voice as the sure voice of God in the soul will save us. But true enjoyment is the aspect of faith where Christ, by holy taste, is received into us, and made, by inward and spiritual understanding of His sweetness and preciousness, to be the food of our souls. It is then we sit “under His shadow with great delight,” (Song of Solomon 2:3, KJV) and find His fruit sweet to our taste.

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3

Question: Which way of “perceiving faith” is most effective for you, and why?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/18/cs_taste-see/

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Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

“God, even our own God.” Psalm 67:6

It is strange how little use we make of the spiritual blessings which God gives us, but it is stranger still how little use we make of God Himself. Though He is “our own God,” we rarely take our problems to Him, and ask little of Him. Seldom do we seek counsel at the hands of the Lord. In fact, we often we go about our daily lives without seeking His guidance!

In our troubles we constantly strive to bear our burdens ourselves, instead of casting them upon the Lord so that He will sustain us. We can take our problems to God, for the Lord seems to say, “I am yours, come and make use of me as you need; you may come freely to use my resources, and to Me, the welcome offerer.”

It is our own fault if we don’t make use of the riches of our God. Since you have such a friend, and He invites you, draw from Him daily. Never crave spiritual nourishment when you have such a great God to go to; never fear or faint while you have God to help you. Go to your treasure and take whatever you need – there is all that you can want. Learn the divine skill of making God all things to you. He can supply you with all, or, better still, He can simply “be” to you instead of all.

Let me urge you, then, to make use of your God. Make use of Him in prayer. Go to Him often, because He is your God. Who would disdain to use so great a privilege? Fly to Him, tell Him all your wants. Use Him constantly by faith at all times. If some dark thoughts are clouding your mind, use thy God as a “sun”. If someone is causing you harm, find in God a “shield”. For He is a sun and shield to His people. If you have lost your way in the mazes of life, use Him as a “guide” for He will direct your steps. Whatever you are, and wherever you are, remember God is just what you want, and just where you want, and that He can do all you want.

Questions: Do you sometimes find it difficult to pray? What prevents you from having a more active prayer life?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/19/cs_what-you-want/
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Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?” Romans 8:33

What a wonderful challenge! It’s wonderful because it’s totally unanswerable. Every sin of those whom God has chosen was laid upon Jesus, the great Champion of our salvation, and by His atonement carried away.

There is no sin in God’s book against His people. He sees no sin in Jacob, and no immorality in Israel, because they are wiped clean of their sin forever through in Christ. When the guilt of sin was taken away, the punishment for sin was also removed. For the Christian there will be no angry rebuke from God’s hand; no, not so much as a single frown of vengeful justice. The believer may be scolded by his Father, but God as Judge has nothing to say to the Christian, except “I have absolved you: you are acquitted.”

For the Christian there will be no “capital punishment” from God in this world, much less any second death. A follower of Christ is completely freed from all punishment as well as the guilt and power of sin.

Sin may stand in our way, and frustrate us with its constant warfare, but sin is a conquered foe for every soul who walks with Jesus. A Christian can overcome any and every sin if they rely upon God to do it. Those who wear a white robe in heaven overcame through the blood of the Lamb, and we may do the same.

No lust is too mighty, no tempting sin too strongly entrenched. We can overcome it through the power of Christ. Your sin is a condemned thing. It may kick and struggle, but it is doomed to die. God has written condemnation across its brow and Christ has crucified it, “nailing it to His cross.” Go now and renounce it, and the will Lord help you to live to His praise, for sin with all its guilt, shame, and fear, is gone.

Question: How do our sometimes valid feelings of guilt relate to our being made “blameless” in Christ?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/10/cs_blameless/

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Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

“They will set out last, under their standards.”
Numbers 2:31

The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on the march. The Danites occupied the hindmost place, but their position didn’t matter, since they were as much a part of the group as any of the other tribes. They followed the same fiery cloudy pillar, ate the same manna, drank from the same spiritual rock, and journeyed toward the same goal. If you are last and least, take heart; it is your privilege to be a part in the army.

After all, someone must be last in honor and esteem. Someone must do menial work for Jesus, and why shouldn’t I? In a poor village, among the uneducated, in a back street, or among deeply sinful people, I will pledge to work on.

The Danites occupied a very useful place. Stragglers have to be picked up while we march, and lost property has to be gathered from the field. Some will run forward over unexplored paths to learn fresh truth and win more souls to Jesus. But some who are more conservative will serve by reminding the church of her traditional faith, and caring for those falling behind. Every position has its duties, and the slowly moving children of God will find their duty one in which they may be a blessing to the whole group.

Take note: The rear guard is a place of danger! There are foes behind us as well as in front of us. Attacks may come from any side. We read that Amalek fell upon Israel, and killed some of those nearest to the back. The experienced Christian will find much work for his weapons in aiding those with doubts, who are hindmost in faith, knowledge, and joy. These must not be left unaided, and therefore it is the responsibility of those strong in their faith to encourage and lead those who are falling behind. My friend, if you are strong, do keep an eye out to help those who are weak in their faith.

Question: How can we overcome the temptation to complain when we aren’t “first”?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/03/cs_last-place/

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