Only a prayer meeting by Charles Spurgeon (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the chapter entitled 'An address for sad times'.
Firstly Spurgeon tells us why our hearts should be overwhelmed when we look at the state of world. We should be troubled by:
(i) the worldliness of the visible church;
(ii) the number of professors apostatizing together;
(iii) the spread of superstition;
(iv) the ill weed of 'modern' thought.
But then, like the Psalmist, we are encouraged to go to the rock that is higher and remember that:
(i) God lives;
(ii) God's truth is still the same;
(iii) the Lord will save his own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter, particularly the encouragements in the second half.
For example, I appreciated this instruction: 'Then, zealously, in dependence upon God, do the little you can do; do it well, and keep on doing it. You and I are not called upon to regulate the world nor to stay the raging sea of human sin. Let us not attempt to wield the Divine sceptre; it befits us not. Naturally, you would like to set all people right, and make all preachers orthodox. But, my brother, the task is beyond you. Be careful to be right yourself in your own life, and be resolute to bear your complete, honest, obedient testimony to all the truth you know; and there leave the business, for you are not responsible beyond your possibilities.'
It is indeed overwhelming to consider what needs to be done to advance the kingdom of God throughout this world.
But we are not called to do it all, just the little bit that we can.
Next week's reading
Read the chapter entitled 'Honey out of the rock' and 'The prevalence of evil an argument in prayer'.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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