Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

December 19– Morning

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

“Men may throw dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” 

—Proverbs 16:33

If the outcome of thrown dice is the Lord’s work, then what does this tell us about the arrangement of our whole lives? Elsewhere we’re told that “the very hairs of [our heads] are all numbered” and that “a little sparrow doesn’t fall to the ground” outside of the Father’s knowledge and will.

If you remembered this truth, dear friend, it would bring a holy calm over your mind. It would relieve you from anxiety and cause you to be patient and cheerful, as a Christian should. When you’re anxious, you can’t pray with faith; when you’re troubled about the world, you can’t serve the Master because your thoughts are serving yourself.

Whenever you neglect your own business and worry about your circumstances, you are meddling in Christ’s business. You’ve been trying to provide for your own needs by working hard while forgetting that it is your responsibility to obey. Be obedient, and let Christ handle the providing. Come and survey your Father’s storehouse, and ask whether he will let you starve.

Can his heart of mercy ever be unkind? Can his inscrutable wisdom ever be at fault? Look up to Jesus Christ your Intercessor, and ask yourself whether the Father will ever deal ungraciously with you? If he remembers even sparrows, then he won’t forget about his own children! Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall.”

If you find yourself in a humble condition, be glad! Don’t hope to be more highly esteemed. Let the impression of God’s will on your life be the glory and wealth you seek. [M&E]