Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

August 31– Morning

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

“On my arm my people will rest.” 

—Isaiah 51:5

In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust, and is, therefore, compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his body is exhausted and his mind is at wits end, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. How good is the storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone!

Sometimes God is concealed from us because we have too many friends. When a man becomes so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he falls into his Father’s arms and is embraced by his favor! When he is burdened with troubles, he may be thankful for them, for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time.

Oh, storm-tossed believer, now that you have only God to trust, see to it that you put your full confidence in him. Don’t dishonor your Master by unworthy doubts and fears, but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that your God is worth more than ten thousand worlds to you. Show rich men how rich you are in your poverty when the Lord God is your wealth. Show the strong man how strong you are in your weakness when underneath you are the everlasting arms.

Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant actions. Be strong and very courageous and the Lord your God will certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in your weakness and magnify his might in the middle of your distress.

May the Holy Spirit give you rest in Jesus today. [M&E]