Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

August 4– Morning

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

“The people who know their God will be strong.” 

—Daniel 11:32

Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian in several ways.

First of all, knowledge of God strengthens faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as those who are enlightened and taught by the Lord; indeed, the Holy Spirit pledges to lead them into all truth—all for the purpose of increasing and fostering their faith.

Knowledge strengthens love as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door and then through that door we see our Savior whom we love. Or, to put it differently, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait we love him. We cannot love a Christ we do not know, and if we only know a little of the excellences of Jesus– what he’s done for us and what he is doing now– we cannot love him much; but the more we know him the more we can love him.

Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for something if we don’t know it exists? Hope is like a telescope that we don’t know how to use. But with instruction we can see glorious destinations that before had been unknown.

Knowledge also helps us to be more patient in the trials of life. It helps to know that Christ sympathizes with us and that good will come from the correction our heavenly Father sends us. God will use holy knowledge to bring every Christian to perfection. How important it is, then, that we should grow “in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” [M&E]