Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

July 19– Morning

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

“The Lord has shown us his glory.” .” 

—Deuteronomy 5:24

God’s great design in all his works is the manifestation of his own glory; any lesser goal would be unworthy of him. But how will he show his glory to fallen creatures as we are? Man’s eye is not naturally focused on God; he is always glancing away towards his own honor, has too high an estimate of his own abilities, and, therefore, is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must get out of the way so that God can be exalted.

This is why he so often brings his people into trials and difficulties– that by being made conscious of their own foolishness and weakness, they would be more prepared to behold the majesty of God when he saves them. If a person’s life is one, even, smooth path, he will see very little of God’s glory, for he has few occasions of self-emptying and, therefore, little preparation to be filled with the revelation of God. Those who navigate little streams and shallow creeks know very little about the God of the storm.

Thank God, then, if you have been led by a rough road, for it has given you an experience of his greatness and loving-kindness. Your troubles have made you wealthy with knowledge that can be gained by no other means. Your trials have caused you to take refuge in the cleft of the rock where Jehovah hides you so that you can behold his glory as it passes by. Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance which continued prosperity might have produced but that, in the great fight of affliction, you have seen the outshinings of his glory in his wonderful dealings with you. [M&E]