The Heart of Repentance

Although I'm pretty sure no one is listening (or reading ), I'm going to say this out loud, I struggle with sin.  This statement wouldn't come as a shock to those closest to me, because sadly they see it.  What I'm saying is that although God reached into my life 18 years ago and gave me a new heart, there is still some work to do.  And thankfully God is doing that work, day by day.

Not surprisingly, God uses His word to do much of this work.  In addition, He uses others...even those who have been dead many years.  That was the case today. Let me explain.

I have a copy of Charles Spurgeon's daily devotional, Morning & Evening.  I don't read it every day.  Frankly, I don't even read it weekly. But today, I picked it up and read this morning's entry.  The scripture text was Joel 2:13, "Rend your heart and not your garments."  I nearly fell off the sofa.  This is exactly what I needed to hear.  I needed to be reminded about biblical repentance.  Here are Spurgeon's words that really drove the message home for me:

"The text commands us to rend our hearts, but they are naturally hard as marble: how, then, can this be done? We must take them to Calvary: a dying Saviour's voice rent the rocks once, and it is as powerful now. O blessed Spirit, let us hear the death-cries of Jesus, and our hearts shall be rent even as men rend their vestures in the day of lamentation."

So in my mind's eye, I looked to the cross and there was my Savior!

The prophet Joel explains why we can have confidence that our repentance will be accepted by God. Because He is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness." What a blessing!

So, it is not in the outward anguish or religious act of kneeling at "an old fashion alter" that signifies our turning away from sin. But rather the heart-level, Spirit induced, honest assertion that our sin is an offense to God's holiness. That we despise this offense and desire, more than anything, to abandon it.

I am thankful for how gracious God is to His children.  He is still doing a work in me.  I'm thankful too for Mr. Spurgeon who, just this morning, pointed me to the heart of repentance.

Quotable Spurgeon

I realize that we do not worship preachers. However, God has clearly gifted some men in a special way. That giftedness, when used to articulate biblical truth, leads us to praise God. Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) is one such preacher. He had such a unique way of conveying the message of Scripture. Perhaps his preaching style and ability was simply a product of Victorian England. I think more than that, his clarity, power and wisdom were products of hours in the presence of God and rigorous study in the Word.

Here is an example of one brief yet compelling statement:

"In the red sea of His own blood, our Redeemer has drowned the Pharaoh of our sins."

Amen Preacher, Amen!

Quotable Spurgeon

I am so very thankful for the life and ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He was exceptional in many ways. Although he lived in a different generation, his words are timeless. The challenges that he faced were not so much different to what we are faced with some one hundred years later. Below is a brief quotation from his classic daily devotional work. I trust it will challenge your view of yourself and the Savior.

"The more loftily we see Christ enthroned, and the more lowly we are when bowing before the foot of the throne, the more truly shall we be prepared to act our part towards Him. Our Lord Jesus desires us to think well of Him, that we may submit cheerfully to His authority."

Source: Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning & Evening available here.

Quotable Spurgeon

"Weak may be our feet, but almighty is God's right hand. Rough may be the road, but Omnipotence is our upholding. We may boldly go forward. We shall not fall. Let us lean continually where all things lean. God will not withdraw His strength, for His righteousness is there as well. He will be faithful to His promise, and faithful to His Son, and therefore faithful to us. How happy we ought to be!" Taken from Faith's Checkbook

Are you feeling weak today? Enter into the presence of the Almighty, and lean on Him.

Milestones Along the Road

I stand amazed over and over again at how the Lord works. I preach about it, I read about it, and still when I experience it in my own life it floors me. Today it happened. Just as clear as a bell, God was reminding me of who He is and where I stand because of Christ.

Today it was through the writing of Mr. Spurgeon that I was reminded. I won't give you the pitiful details of my shallow sinfulness. Instead, suffice it to say I was a bit down. Until I opened my copy of Morning and Evening. Here is a brief excerpt of what I read:

"Though thou art gloomy now, canst thou forget that blessed hour when Jesus met thee, and said, "Come unto me"? Canst thou not remember that rapturous moment when He snapped thy fetters, dashed thy chains to the earth, and said, "I came to break thy bonds and set thee free"? Or if the love of thine espousals be forgotten, there must surely be some precious milestone along the road of life not quite grown over with moss, on which thou canst read a happy memorial of His mercy towards thee?"

These words rang so clear in my soul that I wept with joy. There are milestones along the road for me. What about for you? It is often the case that we travel along and find ourselves quite disoriented. (Surely I am not the only one.) As the "Prince of Preachers" points out, we can certainly find our way again when we revisit those places and times when God's presence was so dear and his hand so evident. Still more, when we meditate on the sacrifice made on our behalf and the gracious call that came to our hearts.

Wow, isn't it amazing to be united to such a One as this? May your journey go well this day, and may you unearth a milestone along the road. All to the glory of God.