Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

August 18– Morning

 by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Strangers have invaded the holy temple of the Lord.” 

—Jeremiah 5:51

In this account the faces of the Lord’s people were covered with shame for it was a terrible thing that ungodly men should intrude into the Holy Place reserved for the priests alone. Today, all around us we see the same cause for sorrow. How many ungodly men are now preaching in so-called Christian pulpits and training to enter the ministry! How fearful it is that the holy ordinances of the Church should be administered by the unconverted. To adulterate the Church is to pollute a well, to pour water upon fire, to dump stones on a fertile field. May we all have grace to maintain the purity of the Church as being an assembly of believers and not a social gathering of the unconverted.

Our zeal must begin at home. Let us examine ourselves as to our right to eat at the Lord’s table. Let us see to it that we are wearing our wedding garment lest we ourselves be found guilty of intruding into the Lord’s sanctuaries. Many are called, but few are chosen; the way is narrow, and the gate is strait. O for grace to come to Jesus with the faith that God gives to his chosen ones.

God didn’t spare Uzzah when he touched the Ark of the covenant, so how can he spare those who touch the water of baptism and taste of the Lord’s table with unchanged hearts. Heart-searching is the duty of all who touch the sacred things. “Search me, O God, and know my way, try me and know my heart.” [M&E]