When believers fall into low, sad spirits, they often try to lift themselves up by chastening themselves with dark and cheerless fears. That is not the way to rise from the dust, but to continue in it! You might as well chain an eagle’s wing and tell it to fly—it is the same thing as calling on doubt to increase our grace. It is not the law but the gospel that saves the seeking soul at first; and afterward, it is not a legal bondage but gospel liberty that can restore fainting believers. Oppressive fear does not bring backsliders to God, but the sweet wooing of love will draw us to Jesus’s embrace. This morning, are you thirsting for the living God, unhappy because you can’t find Him to delight your heart? Have you lost the joy of your religion? Is this your prayer: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12)? Are you conscious that you are barren, like dry ground, not producing the fruit for God that He has a right to expect of you? Do you sense that you are not as useful in the church or in the world as your heart desires to be? Then here is exactly the promise you need: “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.” You will receive the grace you require, and you will have it to the farthest reaches of your need. Water refreshes the thirsty; you will be refreshed and your desires gratified. Water is needed for life; your life will be enlivened by fresh grace. Water swells the buds and makes the fruit ripen; you will have grace to produce fruit, and made fruitful in the ways of God. Whatever good quality is in divine grace, you will enjoy it to the full. You will receive the riches of divine grace in plenty—you will be drenched with it. Like the meadows are sometimes flooded by overflowing rivers, and the fields are turned into pools, you will be also—the thirsty land will be springs of water.
- C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
I can certainly relate to Spurgeon's opening statement. For many many years I was in that state of mind.
Right now, I suppose a great many people are wondering where that light of Christ is at. The landscape seems so dark and dreary.
I am reminded of the servant of Elijah. When Elijah prayed that his servant would see what he saw himself.
The true Church is not a defeated people. Regardless of the attempts made by Satan over the last 2,000 years, he cannot defeat the Spirit of God. He is a fallen angel, one who once stood in the courts of God yet fell because he wanted to be God.
He is stirring up the masses because he can. However, again, Scripture cannot be changed. He that is in us was who are Christians is greater than he who is in the world.
Worry doesn't become a believer in Jesus Christ. When that knocks at the door of your mind, tell it to go away, Jesus is still on the Throne.
We are just like Peter after he stepped out of the boat. He started out strong at keeping his eyes on Jesus but soon was overcome by the situation rather than the one who controlled the situation.
Jesus is stronger than anyone attempting to usurp His authority. Nobody is able to stay His hand or command Him to explain Himself.
Jesus is the light of the world. He is who we need to look to and at in order not to sink in the waters of life.
Look at the people in Jeremiah that were saved all because of one thing. They believed the word of the Lord.
Today, my dear reader, is your day, since you are indeed alive and breathing, to believe the word of the Lord.
Today is your chance to pray for yourself and others.
Today is your chance to focus on the true light of this world.
Today is your chance to stand on His promises, not the desires of this world that is still in darkness.
Today, pray for the peace that passes all understanding. For you and those you know. Nations will come and go but as Scripture says the Word of the Lord stands forever.
Today, pray for the lies to be exposed and that justice would prevail. If you can read, you can pray. If you can worry, you can pray. If you can be consumed by circular thoughts, you can pray.
Now is the time for the power of prayer to overcome whatever is bothering you.
For me, I have work to be done, and I make it a point to pray before doing it. My next step is to do it as unto the Lord. No shortcuts. Do it right the first time. Not being distracted by off ramps on this highway of life that promise great things that are only there to derail my walk with God.
We can all easily sit and be enraged, doing nothing, or be engaged in prayer, doing something.
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